The Team
Who We Are
Stephanie Beguin-Howard,
LCSW, RPT, EMDR-CIT
Founder, Owner, Lead Therapist
Stephanie is the founder/owner/lead therapist for Tranquil Mind Therapy, LLC, and started her private practice in 2016, expanding it to a group practice in 2022 with wonderful, warm, engaging, and very experienced staff!
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Stephanie Beguin-Howard, LCSW, RPT is an EMDR IA-Approved EMDR Certified Therapist and Consultant-in-Training, who is also a Registered Play Therapist, Virginia Board of Social Work Supervisor, and intensively trained in Sandtray, DBT, CBT, TF-CBT, MI, etc. Stephanie has 25+ years clinical experience in social work, including therapeutic foster care, public housing, and community mental health, and has managed clinical teams in Head Start, housing programs, and for a large school district substance abuse prevention program. She provides community trainings in trauma, substance use prevention, and is an ACEs Interface Training Facilitator. In addition, Stephanie is the founder of Tranquil Mind Therapy, LLC, a group practice focusing on providing trauma-informed psychotherapy and intensive trauma treatment to clients from ages 6+ to adults.
In addition to individual and group therapy for clients, Stephanie provides both individual and group EMDR consultation for EMDR therapists each month! She is also a Virginia Board of Social Work Registered Clinical Supervisor and provides clinical supervision towards social workers working towards their LCSW licensure.
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"I enjoy spending time with family and friends, hiking with my dogs, traveling, snorkeling, trying new foods, learning, reading, swimming, stand-up paddle-boarding, film/digital photography, and trying new things!"
Ally Jacobi
Resident Counselor
(Supervisee in Social Work)
Ally is one of our resident counselors and a Supervisee in Social Work (under Stephanie's supervision), specializing in working with youth, adolescents, and young adults! Ally's focus areas include: anxiety, depression, low-self-esteem, and substance. Ally's core approach utilizes cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), and play therapy strategies.
She received her Bachelor's degree in Social Work, with a minor in Psychology, and a Master's degree in Clinical Social Work from VCU. Ally has 10 years of clinical experience with at-risk youth and families. She has worked with clients facing a wide array of challenges, including trauma, domestic violence, substance abuse, behavioral challenges, and cognitive and developmental delays.
Her work experience ranges from working with clients in the home, the nonprofit sector, and school environment. Ally previously was a Therapeutic Day Treatment Clinician, Behavior Specialist, and Crisis Counselor in the alternative school setting. Additionally, Ally was a Special Education Teacher for a period of time. Ally transitioned into FCPS as a School Social Work Intern, as well as an Intern for Communities in Schools of Richmond. In addition to working in private practice, Ally currently works as an FCPS Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist.
Ally has worked outside of the school setting as an Intensive In-Home Clinician, Children's Enrichment Intern at a homeless shelter, and a Social Work Intern at a non-profit to help adult women facing a multitude of challenges while reintegrating into the community. As a therapist, Ally wants to assist client in discovering their inner strengths, providing supportive techniques to overcome challenges, and empowering clients with the tools they need!
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"My hobbies include hanging out with my friends and family, spending time with my dog, and traveling to new places. I also enjoy binge-watching Netflix shows!"
Jessica Giffin
Resident Counselor
(Supervisee in Social Work)
Jessica is one of our resident counselors (Supervisee in Social Work under Stephanie) who specializes in working with children, adults, and families. She is a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) in the Commonwealth of Virginia. She received her Bachelor of Science in Substance Abuse Counseling from the College of St. Joseph in Rutland, Vermont. She received her Master of Social Work from Simmons University in Boston, Massachusetts.
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Jessica has 6 years of clinical experience working with clients in outpatient, residential, in-home, and academic settings with a focus on substance use, end-of-life care, medical social work, veterans, families, and adolescents. She has worked with clients facing a wide array of challenges, including anxiety and depression, substance use, trauma and PTSD, grief and loss, and adjustments to life changes across the lifespan.
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In addition to working for Tranquil Mind Therapy, Jessica also works as a Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist within Fairfax County Public Schools and as an Intensive In-Home Counselor for Family Priority, LLC.
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Jessica utilizes cognitive-behavioral strategies, solution-focused strategies, dialectical behavioral strategies, play therapy strategies, motivational interviewing, and mindfulness. Jessica’s approach is client-centered so that her clients feel safe and heard.
As a therapist, Jessica wants to assist her clients by uncovering their inner strengths and empowering them with the tools and encouragement they need to make changes that they want to make in their lives.
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"In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my kids, reading, practicing yoga, hiking with friends, traveling, and seeking out adventure wherever I go!"
