Inspiring Conversations with Shauna Tepper of Tepper Counseling

Today we’d like to introduce you to Shauna Tepper. 

Hi Shauna, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I am a life-long Ohioan; I grew up in Cleveland for the first 18 years of my life and moved to Columbus to attend OSU. Growing up as a queer person was difficult as I grew up in a very heteronormative and cisnormative environment where reform Judaism guided the culture and values of those I was surrounded by. I grew up always feeling different, knowing I was different, but not knowing exactly how or why. Because of my perpetual feelings of otherness and desire for belonging, I knew I was meant to serve marginalized and underserved populations, specifically LGBTQIA+ communities as I am a proud queer person whose queer identity has shifted and come into greater focus with the support and love of queer communities. 

At first, I thought I was meant to teach, so I pursued a BA in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. I applied for the graduate program at OSU, however, was denied- this was the best thing that ever happened to me! I struggled to find employment that allowed me to actually use my degree, so I worked as a cook at Whole Foods Market for a few years trying to “figure out” what I am doing with my life. That’s when my mom decided to go back to school to get her Bachelor’s degree in social work- something I never really explored until then. I decided to look up the NASW’s Code of Ethics and realized my values aligned almost perfectly with the field of social work. Once I was accepted into the Master of Social Work program at OSU, I initially worked in the Non-profit sector until I realized I needed to provide more direct services in order to fulfill my purpose. 

When I started working as a therapist, I discovered very quickly this is the work I am most energized by and the way I can most effectively serve those seeking support. At first, I thought my queer identity would limit my success as a therapist- I assumed people would prefer someone else- someone who was straight, cisgender, without tattoos, basically more conventional like the therapists you see on TV or in most practices. I found myself working in a place where no other therapists looked like me and none of them were queer; over time I started to realize that patients were seeking me out specifically because of my identity as an openly proud queer person. 

Once I realized my queerness was an incredible strength and so needed in the mental health community, I felt empowered to start my own private practice in 2020 where I get to provide the most affirming and accessible care I can to the most dynamic, beautiful, inspiring, and deserving queer people. Since starting my private practice, I have served countless queer individuals navigate identity development, sexuality, gender expression, coming out, gender-affirming care, and community building. This work is so fulfilling, affirming, and exciting for me; to see someone step into their most authentic self with self-love, self-compassion, and self-worth is the most moving experience I can ever have as a therapist. Through the unconditional love I have for my clients, I have the honor of seeing them begin to extend the same to themselves. If there is one intervention that is most powerful and transformative, it is supportive and unconditional love, especially for queer people who deserve and need to be embraced for all that they are in a world that constantly tells us we’re wrong, too much, or too different. No matter who you are, what you look like, or how you express yourself; you belong in my office. 

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
The road has definitely been difficult- I have had to navigate opening my own private practice in the middle of a pandemic while providing services to patients who are struggling more than they ever have due to all the trauma of our current collective state. I also had back surgery while I was in graduate school and deal with chronic pain and physical limitations on a daily basis- this however helps me immensely with forming connections with clients and expanding my capacity for empathy. 

I would also say a struggle that I am currently facing is trying to advocate against HB 454 which would make it illegal for me to provide young people with gender-affirming care- it is really difficult to provide gender-affirming care that I know saves lives while also knowing it could be ripped away from legislators. It is very difficult to empower and encourage queer people when our lives are so often and so readily up for debate, pathologized, and misrepresented. It is really important for all of us to speak out against this bill and the harm it would do; I encourage everyone to follow Equality Ohio for updates, action items, and events! 

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
I like to describe myself as unconditionally optimistic, eager to laugh, and humbly personable; the culture I try to create within my practice mirrors my personality- Tepper Counseling is founded on the notion of shared humanity in all of our experiences, the belief in endless capacity for growth, and recognizing the humor in healing. Above anything, working collaboratively with clients and using a person-centered approach to therapy is central to the care I provide. Uniquely, I specialize in working with LGBTQIA2S+ populations, to include working with trauma-related disorders, those who are poly, those who engage in kink communities/practices, and those who experience depression, anxiety, substance use concerns. I believe very much in accessibility and offer telehealth services in addition to in-person services to anyone in Ohio. One of the aspects of my practice I am most proud of is the approach I have with young people; I believe in the capacity of every young person to dictate and determine what they need most and what their experience is. I believe young people and I believe IN young people. I am so proud to treat every youth with respect, honor their inherent worth, and respect their integrity. 

I believe therapy can be used as transformative social justice work through empowering therapeutic relationships, self-advocacy skill building, and resource building. In doing this work through my practice, it is imperative to employ an intersectional, anti-racist, and trauma-informed lens which I use to support and encourage client-led growth. At Tepper Counseling I provide clinical counseling services to a diverse caseload of adults and adolescents using a combination of evidence-based practices including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, EMDR, Strength’s Based Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and DBT techniques. My practice provides client-centered counseling services with an emphasis on empowerment, solidarity, and compassionate understanding. Tepper Counseling is focused on the power of collaboration, trust, and choice within the therapeutic relationship to ensure emotional and physical safety to facilitate long-term healing. 

In addition to counseling services, I also provide consultation and training services to those in the community who wish to expand their understanding and competence related to providing clinical care to LGBTQIA2S+ populations. 

Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
So many people helped support me through the process of becoming a therapist and started my own private practice, namely my parents, my wife Sarah, the queer community in Ohio, and past clinical supervisors. 

My wife has supported me in every way imaginable throughout graduate school all the way to starting and maintaining my practice- she provides me a soft place to land at the end of long days, encourages me to continue growing and learning (and taking care of myself), and has sacrificed so much to support my goals. 

My first clinical supervisor, Milena, provided me the invaluable foundation I needed to start serving clients and was the first person to see and believe my therapeutic ability. My most recent supervisor, Jennifer, helped me establish my practice every step of the way. Without her, I would have had to figure out everything on my own, but with her help, I was able to seamlessly transition from the restrictive and value-incongruent agency I worked for to my own value-based private practice. I truly have Jennifer to thank for the opportunity to establish my practice using hers as a model and receiving unwavering support from her whenever I need it. 

Contact Info:

• Email: shauna@teppercounseling.com
• Website: teppercounseling.com
• Instagram: @enby_therapist

Image Credits
Jessica Seed