Today we’d like to introduce you to Stacy Knupfer.
Hi Stacy, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I earned my Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy from Pepperdine University while working in schools and at the university’s community mental health agency. I grew up as an only child, and my parents divorced right after I graduated high school. I felt the pressure to be the “glue” in my family, and that experience deeply shaped my belief that connection and healing are possible—even when relationships feel fragile.
After getting married and having two children, I stepped back to focus on my family, and that time deeply shaped me as a wife, mother, and clinician. In 2019, I returned to therapy full-time with a renewed passion for supporting moms, teens, and couples and families. As a mother of two teenage sons, I understand firsthand the pressures families face today.
I’m especially known in the South Bay for my high school girls’ groups, which provide a supportive, connected space for girls to build emotional regulation skills, confidence, and a sense of belonging. Group work has become one of the most meaningful aspects of my practice and reflects my belief that healing often happens in community.
What began as an early calling has grown into Sit With Stace—a practice rooted in authenticity, connection, and supporting individuals and families through life’s most pivotal seasons.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No, it definitely wasn’t a smooth road — but it was deeply meaningful. I launched my private practice in the South Bay in October 2019, and just a few months later the pandemic hit. Like many, I had to pivot quickly, but I also felt a strong responsibility to keep supporting my clients through such an uncertain time.
Instead of shutting down, I continued seeing clients in person — outdoors — and created safe, healing spaces wherever we could. I even ran my high school girls’ groups outside, in the courtyard of my office complex, with candlelight. The girls would come in their pajamas, wrapped in blankets, and we would sit together and support one another during one of the most monumental moments of their lives. They had been staring at screens all day for school, and they needed to feel seen in a real, human way. Those groups became something truly special.
I also offered walk-and-talk therapy in local parks in Hermosa Beach—walking with clients, sometimes with their dogs, and just being in the fresh air while talking through what was happening. It wasn’t always easy, but it reinforced something I’ve always believed: people don’t just need therapy — they need connection. And during that time, connection was everything.
We’ve been impressed with Sit With Stace , but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Sit With Stace is my private therapy practice in the South Bay, where I provide a warm, supportive space for teens, women, couples, and families. I specialize in helping teens navigate anxiety, identity, and social pressures, while supporting moms and families through life transitions, relationship challenges, and parenting stress.
A signature part of my practice is my teen girl groups, which meet Monday and Thursday nights. My colleagues often hear the laughter coming from my room: girls eating snacks, celebrating wins, and showing up for each other through the hard moments like rejection and social stress. These groups create a sense of belonging and emotional safety that many teens aren’t finding elsewhere.
My work with teen girls is deeply personal to me—because I was bullied in high school. I know firsthand how isolating and painful it can feel, and that experience shapes how I support teens today. I’m committed to helping them feel seen, heard, and empowered.
What sets me apart is my relatable, human approach—therapy that feels grounded and non-judgmental. I’m a mom of two teens, and with one soon heading off to college, I’m navigating the same season as many of my clients.
I’m most proud of the trust families place in me and the community that has been built through my groups. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or disconnected, Sit With Stace is a place where you can come as you are and feel truly seen.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
If you are looking for a therapist, make sure to reach out to them. Schedule a quick call first. Get a feel for who they are, and how you two gel together. It’s deeply personal, and the connection matters.
Pricing:
- $250/session
- $85/teen groups
Contact Info:
- Website: https://sitwithstace.com
- Instagram: @sitwithstace
- Facebook: sitwithstace
Image Credits
Chase Wallace
