About Dr. Heather Stevenson
You deserve to be
seen, heard, and accepted.
Online therapist in NYC, all of New York, and California.
You’re so used to giving, it’s time to let yourself receive.
You’re used to being the one holding it all together, getting the job done, and making others feel good, that it’s hard to even know how to focus on yourself. There’s pride in being the one others turn to, despite how drained it can leave you feeling.
This is your opportunity to set it all down for a while and mindfully choose what you want, where to go next, and who you want to be.
What therapy with me looks like:
My goal is to help you reconnect with your core self, wants, and needs, so you can have the kind of life and relationships you desire.
Learning to effectively communicate, feel your feelings, be more vulnerable & authentic, and build trust in relationships all starts in the room with us. You can expect me to bring my full, authentic self each week and I hope you’ll do the same.
Along the way, you’ll build a greater capacity to welcome more pleasant emotions and practice sitting with the discomfort of unpleasant ones, all while undoing the fear of the unknown.
I work with people who are ready to do the work, who want to understand themselves and their patterns better, and are open to a gentle push and supportive guide. There isn’t anything we can’t talk about here, so let’s embrace the messiness of being human.
Despite the deep places and big feelings we may explore, we’ll balance those with moments of lightness, humor, and even joy. This process takes time and I’ll be at your side every step of the way.
All parts of you are welcome here.
Hi, I’m Heather (she/her)
I’m a white, cis-gendered, straight, neurodivergent, HSP woman and I value the diversity and uniqueness of you. I believe at the core of us all is a desire to feel loved, accepted, and like we belong. What often gets in the way is our current or past experiences with trauma, the systems working against us, and the boxes or molds we are told to fit into.
In here, we aim to break free!
While meditation and self-help books are a great way to learn and grow, my guess is you still feel stuck about how to create deep change. One thing I’ve learned from both my professional and personal experience is that we suffer when left alone with our pain and we heal through connection.
Even though you may feel disconnected from yourself or others now, there is a wisdom living deep inside of you longing to be released. I’m here to help you trust that wisdom and yourself to guide you towards the life you want.
What drives me to do this work…
I am driven by a deep desire to help those who feel lost, alone, misunderstood, neglected, or unloved as that’s how I often felt growing up and know that is not how we are meant to live.
After years working with men in maximum security prison and burning myself out I realized that in order to truly help free others, I had to free myself first. Now, I help individuals from all walks of life gain more control of their lives, deepen their relationships, and live more intentionally by working to heal trauma and reconnecting to the innate wisdom that is embodied within all of us.
Whether the wounds of the past feel like a thousand tiny cuts, the pain of being left alone to deal with your emotions or care for yourself, or the mysterious feeling of a childhood left unlived, together we will work to heal the parts of you that did not feel seen, heard, tended to, or built up.
My hope is that you will walk away with more self-compassion, understanding, resilience, and love.
What it’s like to work with me:
My style is equal parts direct & honest, and compassionate & curious.
Clients tell me they feel comfortable being their full selves with me knowing they won’t be judged or shamed, which allows them more space to explore the parts of themselves and their lives that have previously been hidden or shut down.
Whether you’ve tried therapy before but didn’t get the results you want or this is your first time and aren’t sure what to expect, therapy with me might feel different.
At the core it is relational, experiential, and collaborative: meaning we work together to explore the bodily experience of emotions and stories (rather than just talking about them), while building connections and skills that foster new experiences in the moment and beyond.
Integrating various evidenced-based, holistic, and contemplative practices, my approach is tailored to each person designed to meet you where you’re at.
As a consumer of various forms of therapy myself I know the power it holds in helping us heal, grow, and change. I also know firsthand the rollercoaster ride it can feel like as you navigate the emotional ups and downs, and I am your partner for the ride.
Therapy with me is:
A good fit if you…
Think, feel, and care about things deeply
Can tolerate getting a little uncomfortable and are open to stretch
Are willing to challenge yourself or be challenged in the process
Want to practice feeling things more, to balance your strong intellectual mind
Are curious, inquisitive, and want to understand yourself and your life better
Not a good fit if you…
Only want to a place to vent but aren’t ready to take action
Are looking for a quick fix or magic button solution
Are not ready to commit to weekly sessions
Someone else wants you to change, but you’re not fully on board or ready to do the work
Want someone else to change, but don’t want to look at your possible role in the relationship
Specializing in…
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My Training & Education
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Licensed Clinical Psychologist in New York (lic. #022497) and California (lic. # 29247)
Doctorate of Clinical Psychology, John F. Kennedy University
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, San Francisco State University
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Advanced training in Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP Level 2)
Integrative Somatic Trauma Informed Therapy Certificate
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Member of American Psychological Association
Member of Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy Institute
Trauma Informed & Somatic Based Therapy
The roots of my work are grounded in psychodynamic, attachment-oriented, contemplative, and mindfulness based approaches.
I also integrate elements of evidenced based practices including IFS, CBT, DBT, and ACT, and am oriented towards social justice, anti-racism, and self-liberation as a path to collective liberation.
Get started today
Stop human doing, and start human being.
reclaim your life
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reclaim your life —