Stephanie

Ms Stephanie Costa, MSc

Counselor

Verified

“I provide empathetic, person centred support at Calm Within Therapy. I help expats, TCKs, and families navigate transitions, anxiety, and ADHD using CBT and integrative modalities.”

About Me

I am an International School Counselor, Social Worker, and private therapist with over a decade of experience supporting student and adult well being across Europe, Africa, and Asia. I hold a Master’s degree in International School Counseling, a Master’s in Social Work, an IPGCE, and professional affiliations with ISCA, BACP, and NCPS, my work centres on creating inclusive, culturally responsive environments where individuals thrive socially, and emotionally. My clinical background includes extensive experience in child protection social work, safeguarding, and complex family interventions in the UK, as well as founding a private therapy practice serving expatriates and international communities. Currently based at the American International School of Mozambique, I provide evidence based counseling, using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT), and Motivational Interviewing—for adolescents navigating anxiety, life transitions, and academic pressure. As an ADHD-Certified Clinical Services Provider, I specialise in neurodiversity support, executive functioning, and whole school SEL curriculum design. Whether leading safeguarding initiatives, delivering parent and faculty workshops, or offering 1-on-1 therapeutic care, my practice is grounded in active listening, empathy, and a commitment to helping every individual build resilience and a grounded sense of belonging.

Approach

My therapeutic approach is rooted in a compassionate, person centred, and culturally responsive approach to help clients feel understood, safe, and empowered. Holding dual Master’s degrees in Counseling and Social Work, alongside specialised certification as an ADHD Clinical Services Provider, I tailor my approach to meet the unique emotional, developmental, and psychological needs of adolescents, adults, and international families navigating complex life transitions. In our sessions, I integrate evidence based modalities such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Solution Focused Therapy (SFT), Motivational Interviewing, and Social Thinking skills Whether supporting a student managing academic anxiety, an adult working through a major relocation, or an individual navigating neurodiversity and executive dysfunction, I focus on helping clients identify their intrinsic strengths, build emotional regulation, and develop healthy coping mechanisms that fit their everyday lives. Central to my work is a deep awareness of systemic and cross cultural dynamics. Having supported diverse populations across Europe, Asia, and Africa, I prioritise building a trusting, non judgmental environment where clients can explore identity, manage stress, and foster genuine resilience. Ultimately, therapy is a collaborative partnership, one where we work together to transform challenges into opportunities for self discovery, growth, and a grounded sense of belonging.
Contact Stephanie

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Basic Information

Languages:

English

Fees:

Direct payment

Online Only

Services

Expatriate & Third Culture Kid (TCK) Well-being: Supporting adolescents, adults, and international families as they navigate cross-cultural transitions, relocation stress, identity integration, and questions of belonging. Neurodiversity & ADHD Support: As an ADHD-Certified Clinical Services Provider (ADHD-CCSP), offering targeted intervention for executive functioning, emotional regulation, attention management, and learning differences. Adolescent & School Counseling: Addressing academic pressure, social-emotional development, anxiety, boundary setting, and peer dynamics within international school communities. Evidence-Based Therapeutic Modalities: Integrating Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), and Social Thinking Skills to foster resilience, active coping mechanisms, and personal growth.

Services Offered:

  • Adolescent Therapy

    Therapy designed for teenagers, using age-appropriate methods to address issues like anxiety, identity, peer pressure, and family conflict.

    Learn more about Adolescent Therapy
  • CBT

    Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, a structured, evidence-based approach that identifies and changes unhelpful thinking patterns and behaviours.

    Learn more about CBT
  • Child / Adolescent Therapy

    Therapy for children and teenagers using age-appropriate methods, such as play, art, or adapted talk therapy, to address emotional and behavioural difficulties.

    Learn more about Child / Adolescent Therapy
  • Child Protection

    Services focused on safeguarding children from abuse, neglect, or harm, including assessment, intervention, and family support.

  • Counselling

    A form of talk therapy providing a safe, confidential space to explore feelings, thoughts, and behaviours with a trained professional.

    Learn more about Counselling
  • Crisis Counselling

    Immediate, short-term psychological support during an acute mental health crisis such as a panic episode, suicidal thoughts, or overwhelming distress.

    Learn more about Crisis Counselling
  • Crisis Support & Counselling

    Emergency emotional support and counselling for people in acute psychological distress, available at the point of need.

    Learn more about Crisis Support & Counselling
  • Individual Therapy

    One-on-one therapy sessions between a client and a therapist, focused on that person's specific concerns and goals.

    Learn more about Individual Therapy
  • Online Counselling

    Counselling conducted via video, phone, or secure messaging, providing professional support remotely.

    Learn more about Online Counselling
  • Trauma Counselling

    Counselling specifically for people affected by traumatic events, focused on processing what happened and reducing symptoms like flashbacks and hypervigilance.

    Learn more about Trauma Counselling

Works With:

  • Adolescents
  • Adults
  • Parents

Area of Expertise

Scope of Practice:

  • Abuse

    Emotional, physical, or sexual mistreatment by another person that causes lasting psychological harm and disrupts a person's sense of safety.

  • ADHD / Attention Difficulties

    A neurodevelopmental condition involving persistent difficulty with attention, impulsivity, and/or hyperactivity that interferes with daily functioning.

    Learn more about ADHD / Attention Difficulties
  • Anger

    An intense emotional response to perceived threat, injustice, or frustration that, when persistent or uncontrolled, can damage relationships and well-being.

    Learn more about Anger
  • Anxiety

    Persistent worry, nervousness, or fear that is disproportionate to the situation and interferes with daily functioning.

    Learn more about Anxiety
  • Child Behaviour

    Behavioural difficulties in children, such as tantrums, aggression, withdrawal, or defiance, that signal emotional distress or developmental needs.

  • Depression

    A mood disorder marked by persistent low mood, loss of interest or pleasure, and changes in energy, sleep, or appetite that impair daily functioning.

    Learn more about Depression
  • Grief, Loss & Bereavement

    The emotional, physical, and psychological response to the death of a loved one or another significant loss, varying widely in duration and expression.

    Learn more about Grief, Loss & Bereavement
  • Identity & Self-Image

    A person's sense of who they are, including their values, beliefs, roles, and self-perception, and the distress that arises when this sense is unclear, fragmented, or negative.

  • Life Transitions

    Major life changes, such as relocation, retirement, parenthood, or career shifts, that disrupt routine and require psychological adjustment.

    Learn more about Life Transitions
  • Relocation / Expat

    The psychological challenges of moving to a new country or city, including loneliness, culture shock, identity shifts, and loss of social support.

    Learn more about Relocation / Expat

Professional Title:

  • Counselor

    A trained professional who provides talk therapy to help clients work through emotional, relational, and psychological difficulties.

Credentials

Qualifications

Master of Science (MSc)

Social Work England Approved

Year: 2012

Master of Arts (MA)

The College of New Jersey

Year: 2020

Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert)

University of Sunderland

Year: 2017

Memberships

British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP)

Graduate Member

Membership: 00993495

National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society (NCPS)

Graduate Member

Membership: NCS24-00604

Service Areas