About Me

Hi! I’m Stephanie Tolentino, or Steph for short. I’m a mental health practitioner and change leader working across mental health, professional development, and cross-cultural contexts. My work focuses on supporting individuals, teams, and communities through reflective, person-centered, and strengths-based approaches.

I’m deeply interested in the inner lives of people and how we make meaning, navigate challenges, and grow through our experiences. Much of my work has been with individuals and communities facing adversity, and these experiences have shown me the depth of human resilience and the importance of dignity, compassion, and supportive systems.

I believe that awareness of ourselves, of others, and of the systems we live in is the foundation for more humane and inclusive societies. As the Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu wrote “knowing others is intelligence; knowing yourself is true wisdom.” My work is guided by the belief that greater understanding, dialogue, and reflection can help individuals and communities live with more empathy, responsibility, and wisdom. I aim to support and empower people to grow into their fullest potential, believing that when individuals flourish, so do the communities and societies around them.

My interest in the intersection of culture, mental health, and social issues began early in my life. Growing up across different countries and cities, I was constantly exposed to diverse cultures, communities, and ways of living. These experiences sparked a deep curiosity about the similarities and differences we all share.

I’m particularly drawn to exploring traditions, beliefs, religion, spirituality, myths, folklore, and history, and how these shape the ways individuals and communities understand themselves and their world. I have a special interest in the Middle East and Asia regions, and Eastern philosophies and spiritual practices.

This website is a space for reflection and exploration. Here, I share research and insights on mental health, culture, and social issues across different contexts. Many of these topics are widely experienced but rarely spoken about, and I hope this space encourages deeper understanding, dialogue, and connection.

Through my professional work, writing, and conversations, I aim to contribute in small ways to more compassionate, reflective, and inclusive societies.

For any collaboration and enquires, please email me at steph@oncmh.com

I appreciate your time, interest and support. Thank you for journeying with me!