Trauma-informed therapy for teens, young adults, and families
Michael Stempkovski, PhD, LPC, NCC
Experienced, trauma-informed care for teens and the families around them.
Trauma, loss, self-harm, substance use, or a disruption in family relationships can leave young people and caregivers frightened and unsure what to do next. Michael brings decades of experience to help families build safety, understand what is driving the pain, and strengthen the skills needed for recovery.
Michael sees clients in person at our Ridgeland office and does not offer telehealth.
- Best fit
- Youth and young adults facing trauma, crisis, suicidal thoughts, self-injury, substance use, attachment disruption, or grief
- Ages
- Primarily ages 12+, with a strong focus on adolescents and young adults
- Services
- Individual, family, and caregiver-included therapy
- Format
- In person in Ridgeland
- Special expertise
- Foster care, adoption, family systems, safety planning, and adolescent recovery
Pain often appears as behavior before it can be put into words.
Aggression, withdrawal, substance use, self-injury, suicidal thoughts, or repeated conflict may be a young person's attempt to cope with experiences that feel unmanageable. Caregivers may feel blamed, shut out, or afraid of making the wrong move.
Michael believes youth heal best through a family focused, relational approach that respects both the young person's voice and the caregiver's role. He is comfortable helping families stabilize acute concerns while also addressing trauma, attachment, grief, and the relationship patterns that affect long term recovery.
Safety first, then skills, connection, and growth
Michael uses trauma-informed, cognitive behavioral, EMDR, attachment based, solution focused, and interpersonal approaches. Treatment begins with a clear understanding of risk, needs, strengths, and family context. From there, therapy focuses on practical coping skills, relationship repair, problem solving, and meaningful goals.
With more than 28 years serving at-risk youth, Michael also has specialized experience with foster care, adoption, custodial placement, parent loss, adolescent substance use, and co-occurring concerns. When a different level of care is needed, he values a clear and supportive handoff rather than leaving a family to navigate alone.
Areas of focus
- Adolescent substance use and co-occurring mental health concerns
- Depression, anxiety, anger, behavior concerns, and goal setting
- Foster care, adoption, custodial placement, and reunification
- Grief, loss of a parent, family disruption, and relationship repair
- Self-injury, suicidal thoughts, crisis stabilization, and safety planning
- Trauma, PTSD, adverse childhood experiences, and attachment disruption
What you can work toward
- Increase safety and create a clear plan for difficult moments
- Understand what is driving harmful or disruptive behavior
- Build coping, communication, and problem solving skills
- Strengthen trust between youth and caregivers
- Process trauma and grief at a manageable pace
- Move toward stability, resilience, and age appropriate growth
What therapy with Michael is like
Michael uses cognitive behavioral therapy, Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, EMDR, motivational interviewing, solution focused therapy, narrative therapy, and interpersonal approaches. His work is trauma-informed, attachment aware, family focused, and grounded in the therapeutic relationship.
Stillwaters is an outpatient counseling practice and is not an emergency service. If you are in immediate danger or unable to stay safe, call 911 or call or text 988.
A simple way to begin
1. Reach out
Choose Request an Appointment with Michael, or call 601-707-5550. Our team will listen and help confirm the fit.
2. Meet your therapist
Share what is happening, ask questions, and identify what you want to change.
3. Move forward together
Build a plan, practice useful skills, and adjust the work as you grow.
About Michael
Michael has served at-risk youth and families for more than 28 years. He and his wife enjoy traveling, walking, cooking, and family time.
Education, credentials, and specialized training
- PhD in Counseling and Psychological Studies; MA in Professional Counseling
- Licensed Professional Counselor in Mississippi, Missouri, and Tennessee; National Certified Counselor
- Certified in Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and the Adolescent Community Reinforcement Approach
- Training for Adoption Competency certificate; EMDR clinician; CAMS trained for suicide focused care
Faith and counseling
Christian faith can be included at the client or family's request while clinical safety and the young person's voice remain central.
Take the next step
Ready to see if Michael is the right fit? Choose Request an Appointment with Michael, or call 601-707-5550.
Other Clinicians on the Team
