“When you are steadfast in your abstention of thoughts of harm directed toward yourself and others, all living creatures will cease to feel fear in your presence.”

-

Patanjali, Indian Teacher

About Us

Our name, Steadfast, describes the experience of being a part of our Center. We are purposeful, determined, and loyal to the mission of healing trauma. Steadfast also reflects our belief that each of us has a core part of ourselves that exemplifies the best of who we are, remaining unchanged throughout our lives despite our struggles.

We ask of ourselves the same things we ask of you, while holding these values in mind: 

• Continuous curiosity and learning, professionally and personally

• Awareness, openness, and accountability

• Specialized, trauma-informed clinical excellence

Steadfast Center fully commits to honesty, courage, integrity, consistency, compassion, and confidentiality. We strive to treat our clients the way we wish everyone in our world treated each other.

Jessica Culp, MA, LPC

Trauma Counselor

Jessica brings her clients warmth and authenticity with the hope that they will feel accepted for who they are, in whatever part of their journey they find themselves in. She integrates psychodynamic, attachment, and emotion-focused approaches, working toward creating a safe place to explore the many facets of life that inform positive and negative self-identity. Jessica is committed to providing a stable and genuine presence in the lives of those who have experienced complex trauma and abuse.

Areas of Expertise and Services Offered

Individual Counseling

Trauma and Dissociation

Education, Training, and Advocacy

MA in Mental Health Counseling, Lincoln Christian University

BA in Communications, University of Illinois-Springfield

Licensed Professional Counselor in Illinois

​

Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault (ICASA), certified Sexual Assault Crisis Counselor 

radKIDS, Certified Instructor

Memberships

American College Counseling Association

International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation (ISSTD) - Emerging Professionals Committee

Christina Hoppin, MS, LCPC
Intake and Associate Counselor
EMDR Trained

I want to create a safe place for others to feel understood and validated in their experiences, while simultaneously guiding them through the healing process.

My interest is working with people who are suffering from depression, anxiety, and the effects of abuse, neglect, unhealthy attachments, and single and multiple distressing/traumatic events, such as assaults, car accidents, and losses.

I understand how trauma, depression, and anxiety cause wounds that impact relationships, performance, self-esteem, trust, beliefs about ourselves and the world, and inner peace.

I believe in providing education about the physiological effects of traumatic/distressing experiences on the brain, body, and soul/spirit so that survivors of these painful experiences feel validated and understood.

I use a variety of approaches, including EMDR, somatic work, and other trauma-informed therapies to help people find and utilize the healing powers within.

My clients tell me they feel validated and understood, and they experience healing at the core of themselves. Through counseling they find more confidence, peace of mind, and positive beliefs about themselves and the world.

​

I am committed to offering hope, answers, and healing. I want my clients to experience validation and safety, and to feel heard, understood, and respected in their in the healing process.

Areas of Expertise and Services Offered

Intake and initial assessment

Individual Counseling

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

Education, Training, and Advocacy

MS in Clinical/Counseling Psychology, Illinois State University

BA in Psychology, Monmouth College

Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in Illinois

​

Illinois Counseling Association

Illinois Mental Health Counseling Association

Heather Pierce, MSEd, LCPC
Founder and Director, Consultant

After years of counseling clients with inspiring and devastating stories of impact and resiliency, Heather founded the Steadfast Center to create more space in our community for trauma-informed healing. Her approach reflects a commitment to courage and vulnerability that mirrors and validates the bravery of her clients.

Heather works from a feminist-relational model of trauma treatment that regards adaptivity and positivity over pathology. She seeks to both understand and hold accountable, and she believes that empathy, genuineness, and unconditional positive regard are essential in healing relational trauma.

Areas of Expertise and Services Offered

Consultation for professionals serving traumatized populations

Support for trauma survivors in the helping professions

Education, Training, and Advocacy

MSEd in Mental Health Counseling, Northern Illinois University

BA in Journalism, University of Oregon

Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in Illinois

​

Member of the International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation (ISSTD)

​

Natalie Haimowitz Postgraduate Fellowship in the Relational Treatment of Trauma at Womencare Counseling Center

​

Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault (ICASA) certified Sexual Assault Crisis Counselor

​

Board Member, 2015-2018, Rape Advocacy, Counseling, & Education Services (RACES), serving Champaign, Douglas, Ford, and Piatt counties

“When a client’s eyes reflect that they truly feel heard, it is a gift that affirms my passion for this work. It is my greatest privilege to give others the dignity and validation that every person deserves.

Life is often hard (to say the least!), and having a space to share the depths of one’s self can be a uniquely life changing experience.”

-

Jessica Culp, MA, LPC
Trauma Counselor

“My clients tell me they feel validated and understood, and they experience healing at the core of themselves.”

-

Christina Hoppin, MS, LCPC
Intake and Associate Counselor

“People I work with often tell me that what means the most to them is that I’m not afraid to be a real person in the room, which allows them to feel safer to be more of who they are.”

-

Heather Pierce, MSEd, LCPC
Founder