About Me
I’m passionate in my belief that everyone can heal. I love being a therapist. I’m often amazed at people’s resilience and inner strength.
People often ask why I switched from engineering to psychology.
Civil Engineering to Counseling Psychology
I have a B.S. in civil engineering from the University of Illinois (1993), where I specialized in water flow and environmental engineering. Before I graduated, I started volunteering at a date rape education program and a domestic violence shelter. I also saw a therapist when I was in college. Due to those experiences, I decided to become a therapist. Even though I love the analytical thinking of engineering and I truly love stream flow dynamics and rivers, I felt a strong calling to be a therapist.
Becoming a Therapist
I started working full-time in mental health and social service agencies in 1996.
I began studying counseling psychology in grad school in 1998. I earned an M.A. in counseling psychology in 2001 from Meridian University.
From 2000 to 2003, I interned with a grief counseling program, a substance abuse recovery program, therapy departments at several schools, and a housing program for people who had mental health issues and/or substance abuse issues. To get licensed, California requires 3000 hours of experience.
In 2003, I got licensed as a therapist. (Lic # LMFT40414)
Online Therapy - Sunnyvale & Mountain View
As a licensed therapist, I began a private practice in Mountain View in 2004. Since getting licensed, I’ve gotten trainings in
I especially love using EMDR, because it often works quicker than traditional talk therapy. I also enjoy using mindfulness, guided meditations, and hypnosis to help people feel more relaxed and grounded.
I work with people who are healing from a variety of issues, such as trauma, past abuse, sexual abuse, anxiety, stress, loss, grief, infertility, miscarriages, life transitions, and addiction. I’m also knowledgeable about LGBTQ issues, polyamory, and kink.
I primarily see people online. Let me know if you prefer meeting in person in Mountain View or Sunnyvale.
Licensed Therapist
I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT). The license title is confusing because LMFTs work with individual adults, teenagers, children, couples, and families. Even though I mostly work with individuals, I use a comprehensive systems perspective. I primarily offer individual therapy for adults. (California Lic. # LMFT40414)
Personal Interests
I love biking, swimming, practicing martial arts and meditation, spending time with family and friends, solving cryptograms and brain teasers, and being in nature. I particularly love hiking along streams and exploring our local beaches and redwood forests.
I grew up in Illinois and moved to California about twenty-five years ago.
To Schedule an Appointment or Ask Questions
Call me or email me at stacy@stacyoleary.com to ask any questions you have or set up an appointment. You can also schedule a free phone consultation with me.