Today we’d like to introduce you to Stacey Perko.
Hi Stacey, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Well…. this now amazing journey, not so much then, started growing up in Las Vegas aka “Sin City”. Sounds fun right? Not so much, Vegas combined with addiction is quite the recipe for trouble. My family had their own struggles with chemical dependency and other addictive tendencies, and I lacked stability growing up due to this. Experiencing my own trauma in childhood and the evolving impacts it has had on my life, I had found my calling to be of service to others via my path to becoming a therapist.
Knowing firsthand how mental health struggles, rather there consciously or subconsciously, treated or untreated, allow people to get stuck in certain stages of their life. I had my first experience with therapy at 12 years old. After walking to a church in my neighborhood and asking for help out of desperation, they set me up with a therapist. Something changed in me that day. Somehow, I knew that Therapy would give me the answers and the peace that I was longing for. Therapy provided a way for me to heal and understand the issues that were going on were NOT actually my fault. That I had a responsibility, now that I knew, to address and treat the suffering inflicted on me. Not just for myself, also for my children and generations that come after me.
As I gained increase awareness during the healing process, I developed a deep compassion for individuals and families who struggle or who are impacted by addiction. I decided to attend college (the first person in my immediate family) at the University of Utah to obtain a social work degree (MSW). Specializing in a concentration in Mental Health and Co-occurring disorders. I also completed a two-year Substance Use Disorder Counseling program simultaneously. My current credentials are QCSW, LCSW, LSUDC, Experiential/Psychodrama Therapist, including EMDR trained, to work with people who have suffered trauma from life. That was a mouth full, as you can tell my desire to continue learning never stops.
I have had the privilege of working at the Veterans Administration Hospital during my internship and then sometime after graduation. Then I had a life changing experience working at Cirque Lodge which allowed me to deepen my experience and skills. Navigating through an intensive inpatient is the best education of all. This opportunity also allowed my heart to open, where I learned to foster mutual respect and empower people to heal by accessing their own inner wisdom. All experiences have been highly rewarding and priceless.
Since September 2019, I have been in private practice and exploring a new journey. I currently specialize in addiction, anxiety, depression, Experiential/Psychodrama work, groups, and EMDR. Being able to work together to support people who are struggling to provide a safe environment and assist in gaining a greater perspective surrounding emotional concerns or areas in their life that they are finding difficult.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I think this journey has been balanced in regards to smooth and bumpy.
There are moments when I question my own sanity when holding space for someone in the darkness that comes with trauma, as individuals face-off with their demons. Then the beautiful moments of light, divine intervention, and healing that make everything worth it! The key for me is to keep developing, stay grounded, and always stay curious about everything. Including continuing to do my own work, leveling up mentally is an ongoing process.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
My business specializes in healing humans, and mind-body-spirit connections.
Understanding that it takes courage and bravery to reach out, be vulnerable, trust that someone will have your back. My company offers interventions, family support, crisis clinical case management, recovery coaching, groups, EMDR, Experiential/Psychodrama, and traditional one-on-one talk therapy.
What sets my company apart from others is my deep understanding of the grit that it takes to look at yourself, be scared, and do it anyway! Knowing that I would not ask any of my clients to do something I have not done before or that I would not be willing to do myself.
At the end of the day, the message I want people to hear is to have the ability to experience trust in the process, and create connections that allow for healing to take place. To not only heal relationships with self and others but also maintain and grow connections.
Any big plans?
Looking forward to the future, I hope to incorporate more Experiential/Psychodrama Intensives that promote relief from trauma, addiction, co-dependency, exploring belief systems, overall wellness to experience joy again. By creating retreat-like atmospheres to allow people to check out of the stress of real-life, check into themselves, and heal.
Contact Info:
- Email: stacey.perkolcsw@gmail.com
- Website: https://staceyperkolcsw.wixsite.com/website
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StaceypLCSW
