About me

Greetings, I am glad you are here today. My name is Grace and I have been a clinical social worker for almost 5 years. I use the pronouns her/she. My clinical experience is in a hospital setting, I have worked with a variety of people (age 5 to 90) with an equally vast range of issues and disorders. I enjoy hearing from people who identify with in the LGBTQ+ community, and anyone from the iGen / Gen Z. I always strive to meet my clients with compassion and respect, regardless of age, skin color, or identification. As we navigate our own path in life, it can be scary, lonely, with the footing unknown. I want to help you traverse your challenges, whatever they may be.

Before pursuing a career as a clinical social worker, my passion and work experience is in fine arts. I have faced those challenges of forging your own path when everyone around you offers nothing but obstacles. After obtaining my dream career (comic illustrator) I found that my dream job was not the same as having a dream life. I am fortunate that I was able to explore my other strengths, and found a career in “being the person I wish I had” in my life growing up.

Do you struggle making yourself and your needs a priority? Are you living each day to the fullest? Are you letting go of the past and not fearing the future? Are you learning to like and love yourself? Struggling to break a toxic cycle? Have you always wanted to allow yourself to be you? Do you have dreams you're afraid to follow? It's time to let go of what is holding you back, and weight down your heart and spirit.

Working from a client centered approach, I utilize many creative therapies, including zendoodle, zen journal, sand tray, drawing, painting, clay (and more) alongside Cognitive Behavioral Therapy practices (CBT) and Dialectical Behavioral Practices (DBT). I believe that therapy is for anyone who would like to developing new thought patterns, increasing your healthy coping skill, discarding your old beliefs about yourself, and gaining awareness of your internal and external resources.

Don't waste another precious day being miserable or unhappy, its time to allow yourself to be free and find joy. If you don't like something, then change it so you do. Life is too short and too precious to waste it to fear, past hurt, or unhappiness.

In my free time, I enjoy gardening, distance running, and hiking. I have three cats, and two rabbits. Others would describe me as kind, gentle, and a meme expert. I worked as a fine artist before I became a therapist. I know first hand the grief we place upon ourselves when we live our lives according to the needs and wants of others. We can't change yesterday, but we still have the power to navigate tomorrow.

“You have to get a little lost on your way to being found.”

Pronouns: she/her

Specialties

  • Stress, Anxiety
  • Self esteem, Motivation
  • Depression
  • Coping with life changes
Also experienced in:
LGBT , Relationship issues , Family conflicts , Trauma and abuse , Grief , Parenting issues , Career difficulties , Bipolar disorder , Compassion fatigue , ADHD , Abandonment , Attachment issues , Emptiness , Family of origin issues , Read more...

Clinical approaches:
Attachment-Based Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Existential Therapy, Mindfulness Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Solution-Focused Therapy

Years of Experience: 10

Services offered


  • Messaging

  • Live Chat

  • Phone

  • Video

Licensing

CA LCSW 122605

AZ LCSW LCSW-21902

FL LCSW SW15586

Reviews

These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Grace Szeja. We don't pay anyone to provide their review and they are all made voluntarily. Some people's experience receiving therapy with Teen Counseling might be different.

Written on Oct 11, 2024 after therapy with Grace for 3 years and 9 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, grief, intimacy-related issues, sleeping disorders, self esteem, coping with life changes, and adhd

Grace is patient , an excellent listener, and offers fresh perspectives which I find extremely helpful!

Written on Oct 09, 2024 after therapy with Grace for 1 month

Grace is excellent with my son. I do not participate in the sessions. But he tells me how much he enjoys speaking with her and how helpful he finds the time with her.

Written on Aug 20, 2023 after therapy with Grace for 1 month on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, lgbt, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, grief, intimacy-related issues, eating disorders, sleeping disorders, self esteem, anger management, career difficulties, coping with life changes, coaching, compa

The way she has challenged me to create more artwork than I have in years since graduating has been so helpful to me.

Written on Jul 03, 2023 after therapy with Grace for 1 year and 3 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, lgbt, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, grief, intimacy-related issues, self esteem, anger management, compassion fatigue, and adhd

Grace always actively listens my problems and gives an insightful response. She makes me feel safe and supported.

Written on Oct 26, 2022 after therapy with Grace for 6 months on issues concerning relationship issues, family conflicts, intimacy-related issues, self esteem, and coping with life changes

I can’t put into words how grateful I am for Grace!! I have struggled with confidence and negative self-talk over the years, but Grace helps me find the small victories in everyday life. She is an incredible listener and is amazing at helping me reframe things to see them in a different light. Truly cannot say enough good things about Grace and the quality of care and support she has provided over the last year.

Written on Jun 01, 2022 after therapy with Grace for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, family conflicts, parenting issues, anger management, and career difficulties

Grace is great. She is helping me be a better person and figure out what I need from myself and others to be happier

Written on Apr 04, 2022 after therapy with Grace for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, lgbt, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, and adhd

Grace is an amazing listener, she is very empathetic and friendly. I always wanted a therapist to give me some practical solutions to help me heal and cope with my mental health and she gave me some very helpful activities that I kept on doing.

Written on Apr 04, 2022 after therapy with Grace for 2 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, depression, self esteem, relationship issues, coping with life changes, intimacy-related issues, sleeping disorders, and eating disorders

She has been really helpful to me and is helping me sort out issues that has plagued me for years feeling really happy that she is always there to talk to me and help me realise what I couldn't see .
Thanks Grace .

Written on Mar 24, 2022 after therapy with Grace for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, grief, self esteem, career difficulties, bipolar disorder, and adhd

She's amazing and listens to my issues so well!!

Written on Oct 29, 2021 after therapy with Grace for 8 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, eating disorders, and self esteem

Grace has been incredibly professional and helpful. She listens and is able to assist with issues I'm dealing with.

Written on Jun 06, 2021 after therapy with Grace for 2 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, and trauma and abuse

Grace is extremely patient. She understands my needs and encourages me to be my better self. I feel no guilt when communicating or when I need time to process. I have had other councilors in the past but she is by far the best.

Written on Jan 02, 2021 after therapy with Grace for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, lgbt, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, self esteem, and coping with life changes

Grace is a good fit for me and my needs, and actively listens to me and my concerns. Very dependable

Written on Oct 22, 2020 after therapy with Grace for 3 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, grief, self esteem, career difficulties, coping with life changes, and compassion fatigue

Grace has been very helpful with finding my own purpose and brought me to the right path again. I resonated with her because of her experience with fine art I could relate as my artists life and their daily struggles. Very helpful !

Written on Oct 11, 2020 after therapy with Grace for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, self esteem, anger management, and career difficulties

Grace has been a great help. I recently seperated from my wife here in Germany and Being an Australian here during Covid-19 has been difficult. She has been a really good support and understanding. She definitley knows how to listen well. Grace is patient with me when i just ramble out my emotions.

Work with me!