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Stephanie Fugita: New Pinewood Therapist By karina aronson

As a child growing up in Akron, Ohio, and later moving to Naperville, a suburb of Chicago, Stephanie Fugita, Pinewood’s new therapist, did not originally want to work in the field of mental health. But after realizing her passion for helping and supporting youth through their mental health challenges, she realized that’s what she wanted to pursue.

“I used to want to be a doctor or a Broadway singer,” Fugita said.

She nearly passed out after seeing a stretcher in college while volunteering at an advocacy program. Fugita quickly decided that being a doctor clearly wasn’t the career choice for her, but neither was Broadway musical star, since it might not pay the bills. Despite that, she still sings to herself in her car, attends musicals, and hopes to debut in a Pinewood staff musical.

“My dad is a psychology professor and my mom is an elementary school teacher. [A career as a therapist] kind of fit for me. I took a psych class in high school. And that was like, ‘Alright, I kind of already thought that was where I was going to go’,” Fugita said.

Fugita went on to graduate from the University of Iowa, majoring in psychology and minoring in sociology; later on, she completed her master’s in counseling psychology at Santa Clara University.

After finishing her education, Fugita worked in various mental health agencies, including two residential programs –– one for kids with behavioral problems in school, and another for adults. Eventually, she settled on working with kids in schools and elementary therapeutic classrooms.

“I really liked helping the kids and seeing them every day. And then I went to a high school therapeutic program. Kids definitely need support navigating the challenges of being a student and a teenager,” Fugita said.

“I really liked helping the kids and seeing them every day. And then I went to a high school therapeutic program. Kids definitely need support navigating the challenges of being a student and a teenager,” Fugita said.

New at Pinewood this year, she often helps out with the Panther Bands in the mornings before meeting with and checking in on students. Later in the day, she attends more meetings, occasionally talking with teachers or parents.

Principal Gabriel Lemmon is impressed with how well she’s done filling her role.

“[Fugita] is really rocking it at Pinewood,” Lemmon said. “With at that is happening, our need for counseling support is greater than ever, and she has stepped up with positivity, compassion, and a wealth of experience.”

Fugita said that so far, she is enjoying Pinewood’s small community and atmosphere.

“Everybody's been super welcoming, inviting and helpful, which I . . . appreciate,” Fugita said.

While Pinewood is a very kind and encouraging environment, Fugita recognizes that being a student is stressful, especially at a private school.

“There are really high expectations [of] everyone…which is good. And with that, I also want kids to make sure they have some balance. They don't expect to be perfect. And it's okay to make mistakes, because that's how we learn,” Fugita said.

One of Fugita’s main goals at Pinewood is expanding the conversation about things like social and academic stress.

“One of the goals here would be [to] destigmatize mental health… I think trying to focus on managing stress is really important…[as is] having balance in your life…A lot of kids that are kind of stressed, and I would like to help them learn how to cope and self advocate and not be afraid to ask for help,” Fugita said.

Another thing she would like students to know is that any conversation with her is confidential.

“I can't and I won't say anything to anybody else about what you talk about. Often, it's helpful to just bounce ideas off of somebody...Even if…I can't solve your problem, like a lot of times, it just helps to talk it out and … have someone else hear you,” Fugita said.

Finally, she wants students to know that she is there for you.

“I just feel like being helpful. And in listening and supporting kids, sometimes, teens don't necessarily talk to a bunch of adults, or they don't necessarily feel comfortable talking to their parents, so it's helpful to have somebody who's kind of neutral…[to] help support them through that,” Fugita said.