Student Success Story: Dr. Stephanie Dean Design & Research
I love celebrating the wins of my students, and today I’m excited to share the inspiring work of Dr. Stephanie Dean, who recently submitted one of her client projects to be featured here on the blog.
Stephanie runs Dr. Stephanie Dean Design & Research, where she combines her background in academia with her design expertise to help clients bring their ideas to life with clarity, strategy, and impact.
When reflecting on her biggest takeaway from my course, Stephanie shared that learning about operations and organization was a game-changer:
“I was coming from academia, and I really needed the business POV.”
This shift gave her the structure and confidence she needed to run her design business with clarity and professionalism.
The Project: The Whole Therapist
Stephanie’s featured project is The Whole Therapist, created in collaboration with Dr. Shanti Pepper Consulting.
This brand and program were designed to support therapists in integrating holistic practices—like mindfulness, movement, breathwork, lifestyle shifts, and spirituality—into evidence-based therapy.
From the very beginning, Stephanie anchored the brand in Shanti’s voice: warm, competent, compassionate, and authentic. The visuals are calm and clean, while the tone balances professionalism with a sense of humor and humanity. The result is a brand identity that reflects Shanti’s belief that therapists deserve not only professional grounding but also personal nurturing.
Behind the Collaboration
The project was truly a collaborative effort. Stephanie shared that working with Dr. Shanti Pepper was a seamless and inspiring experience:
Shanti brought thoughtful feedback and clear communication.
Together, they developed a brand rooted in integrity, authenticity, and the art and science of healing.
They strategically launched a beta run of the program, refined it with student feedback, and finalized a 12-module course.
The result is more than just a program—it’s a movement to help therapists rediscover joy, resilience, and presence in their work.
Project Highlights
Revisions: 2–4 rounds, based on beta student feedback
Investment: $10,000
Deliverables: A cohesive brand identity and framework for a therapist training program
Outcome: A trusted, approachable, and inspiring brand ready to serve therapists worldwide
Final Thoughts
Stephanie described the collaboration this way:
“Working with Dr. Shanti Pepper on The Whole Therapist was an extraordinary collaboration in clarity, creativity, and alignment.”
Her ability to translate Shanti’s vision into a tangible, meaningful brand identity is a true testament to her design and strategy skills.
You can see the live project here: The Whole Therapist
