Licensed Psychotherapist Enjoys Helping Others Repair Relationships
Dr. Stephanie Weiland-Knarr is a licensed clinical marriage and family therapist who founded her own practice, Dr. Stephanie's Relationship Repair Shop, based in Laurel. Weiland-Knarr has always been someone who liked to talk to people about their problems and give advice. She also recalls how her parents went to marriage counseling when she was young, and it helped the family greatly. All this inspired her to go into this profession and offer her services and assistance to countless clients in and around Baltimore.
Dr. Weiland-Knarr holds a Doctorate of Philosophy in counseling and humane services from St. Mary's University of San Antonio. She earned a bachelor's degree in psychology from Creighton University and a master's degree in marriage and family therapy from Colorado State University.
What are the responsibilities of your current role?
"As a small business owner, speaker, therapist and author, I wear a lot of hats. I do marketing and bookkeeping for my business, in addition to helping my clients to book appointments. I go out in the community to give speeches, and in addition to that, I see clients in my office for psychotherapy and marriage therapy."
What is your favorite part about your daily duties?
"The end of each session, I usually feel good about what was discussed, and I like reviewing what goals we worked on and what progress each client is making."
How has your education/training prepared you for your current role?
"During my education and training, we spent two to three hours per week generally with supervisors (therapists with several years of clinical experience). They would observe videotapes of our therapeutic work with clients so that they could show us how to improve. I used to write down possible phrases or words I could use to be able to discuss a particular problem with a client. That training was invaluable to learn communication skills, listening skills and conflict resolution skills."
What do you do to continue your education/training?
"I attend half-day or full-day workshops, usually two to three times per year on various topics that I think will help me to improve knowledge about how to help clients that I am working with."
Do you have any advice for others looking to enter this field?
"Being in this field can be emotionally challenging at times. You have to flex your emotional muscles every day, and sometimes you don't want to! It takes a lot of emotional energy, so I think it helps to have a strong social network of support. The other advice is to have some friends and family members who you have a normal relationship with, meaning you talk about your problems to! You cannot talk with clients about your problems, so it's good to make sure you have support and understanding from other people in your life."
Laura Catherine Hermoza has a lifelong love for writing. In addition to serving as a contributor to various media publications, she is also a published novelist of several books and works as a proofreader/editor. LC resides in Baltimore County.