The Heart Behind The Mission

De’Stanye Swittenberg is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and the founder of Beyond the Frame Therapeutics.

De’Stanye holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology: Cognitive Behavioral Neuroscience and a Master’s Degree in Social Work from George Mason University.

  • Do you find yourself repeating patterns that hold you back or feeling stuck in old emotional wounds? Inner child work helps you explore how early experiences shaped your beliefs about yourself and the world.

    Your inner child may show up through self-criticism, avoidance, people-pleasing, or defensiveness—coping strategies developed in childhood. This work helps you recognize those patterns, understand your triggers, and meet the emotional needs you didn’t get as a child.

    By exploring and healing your inner child, you can transform old patterns, release limiting beliefs, and develop a more empowered, balanced, and authentic self.


  • Do you constantly prioritize the needs of others at the expense of your own well-being? Do you believe others’ value and worth outweigh your own?

    Codependency often stems from conditional self-love—the belief that you must earn love through actions and achievements, rather than recognizing that you are inherently worthy of love. Many adults stuck in codependent patterns find themselves endlessly striving to be “enough” for others while neglecting their own needs.

    Through therapy, you will explore the roots of codependency, understand the beliefs driving these patterns, and identify the cycles that keep you stuck. 

  • Do you feel like your feelings are never valued or that your discomfort is always a problem for your partner? Are you constantly anticipating criticism or manipulation, even in moments that seem calm?

    Narcissistic abuse often creates an imbalance where your emotional needs are consistently subordinated to your partner’s desires. This dynamic can leave you anxious, self-doubting, and emotionally drained. Your sense of self may feel diminished, and you may struggle to assert your needs or recognize your own worth.

    Trauma-informed therapy will help you identify the patterns of narcissistic abuse, understand how they affect your emotional and relational well-being, and develop strategies to reclaim your voice. 


  • Do you find yourself constantly worrying, overthinking, or feeling on edge even when there’s no immediate threat? Does fear or tension keep you from fully engaging in your relationships, work, or personal goals?

    Anxiety often develops as a response to past experiences, stress, or learned patterns of thinking. While it may have once served as a protective mechanism, chronic anxiety can interfere with daily life, decision-making, and overall well-being. You may notice physical symptoms such as tension, restlessness, or fatigue, alongside emotional patterns like self-doubt or overwhelm.

    Therapy can help you understand the roots of your anxiety, recognize triggers, and develop strategies to manage overwhelming thoughts and emotions.

Specialties

Clinically, De’Stanye draws from:

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

  • Mindfulness-Based Approaches

  • Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)

  • Psychodynamic Therapy

While these tools guide the work, De’Stanye always tailor therapy to you—your needs, your voice, your story.

Don't let manufactured urgency be a part of your healing journey.

There's no need to rush.

You are right where you need to be.