Steff Brand, M.S., LPC, NCC, CCATP

Steff Brand is the Clinical Director at Heights Family Counseling in San Antonio. She works with adolescents, adults, and couples and specializes in anxiety and relational concerns.

As a therapist, my primary goal is to create a safe environment where you can openly speak without the fear of judgment, so that whole ideas can emerge. Through our work together, we will create an individualized treatment plan that is uniquely crafted for your personality and needs. My approach is empathetic, gentle, and often involves spells of humor. I value and offer unconditional positive regard so you can have the space you need to write the next chapter of your story, regardless of how messy it started.

People best overcome negative events and adjustments through the support of secondary sources, and people need both intrinsic and extrinsic motivation to thrive. In session, we will identify triggers and other variables getting in the way of your personal goals and will work together to help you attain a more desired lifestyle. I will challenge you with alternative perspectives, cheer you on when you face your fears and pursue big goals, and support you when everything feels hard.

I have a special interest in helping high achievers experiencing burnout, unhealthy self-esteem, and perfectionism tendencies. I watch these issues reinforce anxiety and depression and directly affect school and work performance, sleep routines, relationships, and overall happiness. As a Certified Clinical Anxiety Treatment Professional (CCATP), I specialize in treating generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, agoraphobia, separation anxiety, and medication induced anxiety disorders in kids and adults. I use neuropsychologically informed Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) methods when working with anxiety. I have also completed intensive training in Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), a type of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy that is known as the gold standard for treating obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). Through consistent therapy and out of session exposures, I have had great success helping clients manage, and in some cases, eliminate the fearful, intrusive thoughts and ritualistic behaviors that come with OCD.

In addition to one-on-one counseling, I also facilitate 50 and 80 minute sessions with couples. Couples tend to fight more when what they are really seeking is a more secure connection with each other. Often, one partner will pursue in an attempt to be heard or resolve a conflict, and the other will withdraw and become more distant in the relationship. This pattern happens repeatedly. In fact, what I often observe is that many couples have the same fight over and over. It seems that the louder one person shouts, the less the other partner listens. I am extensively trained in couples therapy in the most research-based models. I have completed all three advanced trainings in Gottman Couples Therapy; and I work hard to help couples communicate effectively, fight fair, create a deeper meaning in their relationship, and have a more caring and loving connection.

I enjoy working with couples that have totally different personality types, attachment styles, love languages, or mental health concerns. I provide psychoeducation to help couples better understand each other so they can show up with empathy instead of frustration. I also really like helping couples find work, life, parenting, and relationship balance. I take a values approach and hold clients accountable for choosing behaviors aligned with their identified values. As a Gottman Seven Principles Leader, I am also trained to facilitate workshops and educate clients on the research from the book, The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work.

When I am not in session, I enjoy doing HIIT workouts, hiking and swimming in the hill country, reading several books at one time, and planning creative date nights for my husband. I love a good wine and charcuterie board paired with intentional conversation. I feel my best when I have regular movement and laughter in my routine; my young daughter and blue heeler pup definitely help with both!

Steffanie Brand, M.S. is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Nationally Certified Counselor. She holds a Master of Science degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the CACREP program at the University of Texas at San Antonio and is the Clinical Director at Heights Family Counseling in San Antonio. She specializes and has expertise in treating anxiety disorders, as a Certified Clinical Anxiety Treatment Professional. Steff has completed the advanced Gottman Therapy trainings- Levels 1, 2, and 3 and often utilizes Gottman Therapy when working with couples. She is also trained in Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), a type of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) that is known as the gold standard for treating OCD. She believes in always meeting the client where they are and ultimately gravitates to a humanistic and person-centered orientation above all others.

Steffanie Brand, M.S., LPC, CCATP
LPC License # 82218

$195 Individual Counseling Session
$225 Couple Counseling Session