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At Empowerment Psychological Services we believe that ALL people matter and that everyone can learn to become more resilient in life.

We feel that a safe, compassionate, and supportive environment is the foundation for non-judgmental self-exploration and growth.

We work to empower clients to learn adaptive coping methods, gain new insights and skills, collaborate on their individualized treatment goals, develop new ways of relating to challenges, live more authentically, and adapt using the advantages of Neuroplasticity.

We also see the mind and body as profoundly connected. We consider the impacts of what our bodies are going through on our mental health, and vice versa. We believe in a multidisciplinary approach and consider possible underlying physical symptoms that may play a great role in mental health challenges. We consider the needs of the whole person and emphasize the importance of lifestyle factors on mood, energy levels, sleep, mental clarity, stress, pain, relationship quality, symptom stability, and a person’s overall well-being.

We believe that ALL people deserve love and acceptance. You are not alone. We are here to support you!

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Psychologist Background Info.

Dr. Stephanie Abel is a licensed Clinical Psychologist in California who has been providing therapy for teens, adults and elder individuals for over 15 years. She earned her Ph.D. from California School of Professional Psychology (CSPP) at Alliant International University, San Diego.

Populations Served

Dr. Abel supports ALL people. This includes clients from all cultural, ethnic, racial, religious, political, sexual orientation, gender identity, and socioeconomic backgrounds. She strives to align and affirm all forms of diversity.



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Challenges Supported

Dr. Abel helps people overcome and manage challenges that include:

  • Stress Management

  • Anxiety & Panic

  • Depression

  • Trauma & Dissociation

  • Grief & Loss

  • Self-Esteem

  • ADHD

  • Relationship Challenges

  • Parenting Support

  • Sleep Disturbances

  • Adjustment Difficulties

  • Loss of Direction or Purpose in Life

  • Social Anxiety & Fears

  • Obsessive Thoughts or Worries

  • Mood Disorders

  • Medical Issues & Pain

  • Significant Life Changes

  • Lack of Presence/Balance in Life

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Training and Experience

Dr. Abel’s experiences have collectively helped her to develop a deep understanding of a variety of mental health challenges, and conditions of the human experience. She has also learned a great deal about treatment methods that lead to successful outcomes and incorporate clients individualized needs.

Dr. Abel has had the following clinical experience including:

  • Providing ongoing individual telehealth therapy services to many clients in her own private practice.

  • Prior work serving as the Director of a Neurofeedback program for 2 years administering and overseeing Neurofeedback (EEG) therapy, as well as an additional 1.5 years providing Biofeedback (HRV) therapy.

  • She has also spent 7 years conducting Psychological and Neuropsychological evaluations in the past including administration, scoring, interpretation, written assessment report writing, and providing interactive client result sessions.

  • For 4.5 years she worked at University of California San Diego (UCSD) conducting research on therapy interventions for those with severe mental illness.

  • She has administered court-mandated Child Welfare Services and Juvenile Hall assessment evaluations for judicial review for 2 years.

  • She spent 1 year providing group and individual therapy services for substance abuse populations in a residential rehabilitation setting.

  • Dr. Abel has worked for 2 years assisting individuals in crisis at a San Diego crisis center, as well as an in-patient behavioral health psychiatric ward hospital.

  • She participates in ongoing continuing education and is constantly working on growing and improving as a Psychologist.

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Guiding Beliefs

Dr. Abel believes in the healing powers of nature. She also recognizes that resisting the pains and discomforts of life often postpones or intensifies the experience of suffering. She sees the mind and body as being fundamentally connected and seeks to guide others toward nurturing the whole self. She feels that empowering others to be more self-accepting and authentic often leads to their healing in a variety of ways. Dr. Abel hopes that her clients will be able to experience the genuine sense of compassion and loving energy that she extends as a way of modeling how clients can truly see and love themselves. Dr. Abel feels a deep sense of gratitude for being able to support those with whom she works.