Our Team
Our passion is supporting children, teens and adults through life's most difficult challenges. We believe in providing accessible services with our community's needs at the forefront. We strive to utilize an inclusive approach aimed at making both our services and our spaces feel like a safe place to be.
Jenn Schaefer, MA, LPC, CCLS, CTRP
Licensed Professional Counselor & Child Life Specialist
Owner Red Oaks Coping
Stephanie Krielow, BA
School Administrator, Lead Teacher, and Teen Social Group Leader
Owner Red Oaks Cottage
Katie Christenson, AA
Elementary Lead Teacher
Mitchell Krielow
Music teacher & Music Exploration Lead
Alex Breaux, AS
Actually Autistic Mentor to our social groups
About
Stephanie Krielow
BA
My name is Stephanie Krielow. I'm owner of Red Oaks Cottage. I'm a married mother of three with a degree in elementary education, and I have been teaching since 2004. I've been a volunteer with the Autism Society of Acadiana since 2015. Some of the things I accomplished while on the Board of Directors are helping other parents navigate the autism world as well as putting together and hosting educational workshops for parents, teachers, and local businesses. I have a passion for education and empowering people who are different. I am also strong in my Christian faith and I put my faith in God every day of my life.
I'm a mother of a son with autism that is familiar with the daily peaks and valleys that go along with having a special needs child. While autism is a blessing for our family, it can be a struggle to find a place outside of our home where our child fits. Even public school was a challenge. He now excels at homeschooling, a place where he is encouraged to be himself and his interests nurtured and built upon.
It was in this place of struggle that the idea of Red Oaks was birthed.
Education
2000-2004
BA in Elementary Education
University of Louisiana Lafayette
About
Jenn Schaefer
MA, LPC, CCLS, CTRP, CEIM, RWWP
Hi! I'm Jenn Schaefer. I am owner of Red Oaks Coping. I was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia at 4 years old and underwent 2 years of chemotherapy and radiation. During my treatment, I met Christie, my child life specialist. My memories of our time together include giving our big teddy bear pokes or IVs, playing with all of the toys in the playroom and feeling safe asking her about things I felt worried about. She helped my family navigate a terrifying new world of hospitals and pain by explaining scary "doctor words" and helped my parents by giving them the tools to support me. She even included my sister in therapeutic and medical play to allow her to cope with what my family and I were going through.
I have been a Certified Child Life Specialist since 2010 and have worked in Pediatrics, Pediatric Intensive Care, and same-day surgery in Acadiana and Minneapolis, MN. I also began the CHAMPS initiative at OLOL Women's & Children's Hospital, which serves the unique needs of patients with special needs. I have been a Licensed Professional Counselor since 2017 and have worked as an Autism Day Treatment practitioner, in-home therapist, elementary school therapist and behavioral therapist. I hold certifications as a trauma & resilience practitioner, educator of infant massage and am a Registered Wonders & Worries Provider through Wonders & Worries based in Austin, TX.
It is my sincere passion to partner with children and families through challenging and stressful times to provide individualized support and I am honored to work with you and your family. I believe that play is truly the work of the child. It is during pure and uninterrupted play where a child learns the skills needed to regulate their emotions, succeed in social situations, and develop true resilience.
Education
2011 - 2013
MA in Adlerian Counseling & Psychotherapy
Adler Graduate School
Jenn completed her graduate level internship at St. David's Center in Minnesota in their Autism Day Treatment program. There she facilitated group psychotherapy sessions, provided in-home therapy, completed daily documentation and worked with the clinical supervisor in creating diagnostic assessments and treatment plans.
2004 - 2009
BS in Child Development
Texas Woman's University
Jenn co-created TWU's first Child Life group with her student peers. During her undergrad, she completed a practicum at a grief support center where she facilitated pediatric grief support groups as well as a child life practicum at Medical City Children's Hospital in Dallas.