Vanetta Stanford, Counseling Intern

                                                                                                         Supervised by Francisco Peralta

Vanetta brings a diverse background of military service, education, and a heart for serving others to her work in Christian counseling. She served 17 years in the U.S. Army as a combat medic, where she developed a deep understanding of compassion, resilience, service, and the importance of meeting people where they are in difficult seasons of life. She has also had the privilege of working with special needs students at the high school level, an experience that strengthened her patience, empathy, and desire to support individuals in reaching their fullest potential.

Vanetta’s faith in God is foundational to how she understands life, relationships, hardship, and healing. She believes God created each person with purpose and value, and that faith can provide strength, hope, direction, and meaning, even in the midst of challenging circumstances. Vanetta believes that one’s relationship with God is not separate from everyday life, but influences how each person relates to others, and how they navigate the struggles and transitions they encounter.

Vanetta’s approach is grounded in the belief that people deserve to be heard, understood, and treated with dignity. She hopes to create a supportive environment where individuals can explore their experiences, strengthen their relationship with God, and discover healthy ways to move forward with greater hope and purpose.