Dr. Chayah Stoneberg , LISW-CP

Dr. Chayah Stoneberg is a psychotherapist, educator, and spoken word artist based in Columbia, South Carolina who integrates the humanities and expressive arts into clinical work. Drawing on a background in literature and palliative arts, she helps people navigate grief, loss, and emotional distress by combining creative practices with established therapeutic methods.

She is a Licensed Independent Social Worker - Clinical Practice (LISW-CP), a credential that reflects advanced clinical social work training and state licensure in South Carolina. Dr. Stoneberg has maintained a private practice in Columbia, has provided clinical services with Hopeful Counseling & Psychiatry, and currently offers services online.

Her clinical style blends Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Art Therapy, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), using poetry, visual art, and expressive movement alongside evidence-based techniques to support emotional processing. As director of arts programming at Palliative Arts, she develops humanities-based approaches aimed at easing suffering and supporting bereavement work. In addition to clinical practice, she has taught at the college level, serving as Assistant Professor of Humanities and Writing Center Director at Allen University from 2013 to 2017. This combination of artistic, academic, and clinical experience informs a practice focused on narrative, creativity, and practical coping skills.

Arts-Informed and Evidence-Based Care Online

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps clients clarify what matters most to them and develop psychological flexibility. It combines mindfulness and values-guided action to address issues like anxiety, depression, and life transitions.

Art Therapy uses creative expression - such as poetry, visual art, or movement - as a way to explore emotions and process grief or loss when words alone may not suffice. It can be especially useful for bereavement, complex emotions, and trauma-related distress.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and patterns and developing practical coping skills to reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, and stress. Together with expressive approaches, it provides structure and tools for everyday challenges.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Dr. Stoneberg works collaboratively with each person to determine which methods fit their needs, goals, and preferences, adapting techniques as therapy progresses.

Online sessions by video call, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging make it possible to access care from different locations and schedules. These options offer flexibility for people balancing work, family, or mobility needs while maintaining consistent contact with licensed professionals and therapists to support their progress.