Family therapy and counseling in Akron, OH

Hi, I’m Qu Twilley, a Licensed Independent Social Worker with Supervision Designation (LISW-S) and founder of Virtue Mental Health Studio. With years of experience in both clinical and academic settings, my approach is compassionate, warm, collaborative, and culturally sensitive. I believe in helping people find what they once thought was lost.

With 20 years of experience, I have moved past clinical jargon to focus on what actually works: true empathy and genuine human connection. My practice is built on real-world experience, and I am dedicated to helping people navigate life with clarity and strength.

I specialize in working with adults dealing with trauma, relationship dynamics, substance use, anxiety, and depression. I also focus on women’s issues, professional burnout, navigating major life transitions, and the art of setting healthy boundaries. I provide a professional, evidence-based approach that remains focused on you as a person.

Stephanie believes that everyone is deserving of a safe place to work through life’s difficulties so she strives to create a warm, welcoming environment that promotes one’s highest potential. Stephanie has walked alongside many young adults, mature adults, and couples through difficult periods of life, transitions, and choices. Stephanie understands that no single approach is the right one for every individual so is trained in a range of modalities.

With a strong foundation in both social work and law enforcement, I bring a compassionate, grounded, and practical perspective to therapy. I hold both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Social Work and spent eight years in law enforcement, primarily working patrol. This experience gave me the opportunity to support individuals and families during some of the most challenging and vulnerable moments of their lives.

Through my professional work—and my own lived experiences with critical and traumatic incidents—I developed a deep commitment to helping others heal from trauma. I specialize in trauma-focused therapy and work with individuals navigating life’s challenges, processing difficult past experiences, and building resilience for the future.

My approach blends clinical expertise with real-world understanding to create a space that is supportive, nonjudgmental, and genuine. I strive to ensure clients feel heard, respected, and empowered throughout the therapeutic process. Whether you are working through trauma, adjusting to life transitions, or seeking healthier coping strategies, I aim to help you gain clarity, strengthen your inner resources, and move forward with confidence. I’m here to support you every step of the way on your path toward healing and personal growth.

I am a calm and inviting person who seeks to ensure each session is a safe place. Once we gain rapport, I am very intentional about challenging my clients with the intent for them to grow and heal. I hold it as a great honor to walk with each individual or family on their health and healing journey.

Feeling comfortable in our shoes is essential to a creative and self-fulfilling journey and

life. The struggle to reach out for support can be an obstacle that leads to isolation,

loneliness, anxiety, and depression and is often the first and most challenging step to

take. I congratulate you on your courage and willingness to imagine and hope for

changes that will help you be more comfortable in the shoes that you wear!

I have worked as a mental health practitioner for over 40 years and have encountered

many of the challenges that people face in their daily lives. Along the way, I have

discovered my own creative needs and now walk as a transgender therapist willing to

join you as a partner on a path to self-discovery. Giving voice to our hopes, dreams,

and desires is often an essential part of that journey, and I would be glad to join you as

a partner in your self-discovery and growth.