As the founder of Willis CC, Stephanie Willis has maintained a strong emphasis on accountability, innovation, collaboration, and global citizenship within the practice. At WCC, therapy is more than just being listened to—it’s about being challenged to take uncomfortable steps in order to live a meaningful and fulfilling life.

Her experience in the Chicago-land area includes work in non-profits, hospitals, and wilderness programs before establishing Willis CC. Stephanie’s passion for leading her team is grounded in the belief that the therapy and psychology fields have often left consumers with limited, outdated options and little emphasis on customer service. WCC is changing that every day with how it operates on all levels.

Early in her career, she specialized in working with high-risk adolescents addressing issues like self-injury, gang involvement, and drug use. She has significant experience in wilderness therapy and leading World Cafe consultations for communities. Her expertise with adults focuses on perfectionism, stress relief, addiction, cultural struggles, faith and spiritual development, and relationship stress.

Stephanie strives to view her guests through an open and respectful lens, understanding how their cultural background, sexual orientation, and spiritual or political preferences may influence their worldview. Her therapeutic style is broad, utilizing evidence-based interventions from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Family Systems, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and Directive Observant Feedback.

She often works with business owners, senior management professionals, and other healthcare providers. Her work ranges from helping clients with major life decisions to supporting young professionals navigating corporate stress, and educating other leaders on evidence-based approaches to improve their industry.

At Willis CC, she has led her team to integrate modern culture into therapy. This involves establishing a group approach that is all-inclusive and leverages technology as well as feedback. The entire staff collaborates as a team, regularly asking guests for feedback on their therapist, the clinical process, and the effectiveness of their therapy. Stephanie believes that if therapy doesn’t become uncomfortable at some point, or if challenging risk-taking isn’t happening outside of sessions, then either the therapy or therapist needs to change.

The team at Willis CC works openly with one another so that guests can benefit from the skills of different therapists when it’s beneficial. They prioritize guests’ needs and values, aiming to inspire radical change that allows guests to move forward and live that life change, rather than needing therapy indefinitely.

Her passion for supervising and developing other clinicians led to the Willis CC training program, where staff and other professionals receive formal experiential training. Graduates of the program gain exposure to Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and World Cafe-style leadership, focusing on both clinical investment and personal development. Stephanie travels internationally, presenting and consulting with other professionals and organizations, and is currently accepting proposals for collaborative work.