Steph Cowling-Rich

Steph Cowling-Rich comes to Anesis Therapy as a third-year master's in social work (MSW) student from the University at Buffalo, SUNY. Originally from Northern California, Steph holds a master's degree in education and a bachelor's degree in Sociology, both from UC Berkeley, where she also competed for four years as a Division 1 Track and Field student-athlete.

"I utilize a solution-focused, client-centered, and strengths-based approach in my mental health work," Steph shares. "I believe each person I work with is capable of visioning and progressing towards their life goals. I aim to support my clients to meet their goals by leveraging their strengths, identifying their healthy coping strategies, utilizing their healthy habits, connecting with meaningful community and collective support, and celebrating their big and small wins."

For the past nine years, Steph has served as an Assistant Director of Student Advising and Engagement and Opportunity Programs for Cornell University's Office of Academic Diversity Initiatives (OADI). Her professional career has focused on supporting individuals transitioning through postsecondary pathways, working in university and nonprofit settings concentrating on college success, youth development, and workforce development with an emphasis on students of color from low-income backgrounds.

As a mother of two, Steph is especially interested in integrating practices of community care, reflection, cross-cultural communication, mindfulness, and wellbeing. She draws from trauma-informed frameworks and training to support individuals and groups in navigating oppressive structures and systems, bringing her experience of professional advising, cultural humility, and self-awareness along with a focus on clear structure and making space for joy.

Outside of her professional and academic pursuits, Steph enjoys listening to music, attending live dance and theater performances, watching baseball with her husband, journaling, dancing, hiking with her family, reading, baking with her kids, and traveling to new and cherished places.

"I am passionate about supporting individual and community wellbeing," Steph emphasizes, "and am dedicated to creating a safe and welcoming environment for my clients."