Stephanie Southard, LCSW - Therapist in New York

Sleep and rest focus
Values based work
Skills and role play

About Stephanie

Stephanie Southard is an LCSW with 26 years of clinical experience. She creates a warm, nonjudgmental space where clients can talk about stress, sleep problems, anxiety, and relationship concerns. Sessions focus on the person in front of her and on goals the client wants to reach. She uses practical exercises and role play alongside talk therapy to help people make changes that matter to them.

Stephanie favors approaches that connect thoughts, feelings, and behavior. She commonly uses cognitive behavioral techniques to identify and shift unhelpful thinking patterns. She also draws on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to help people clarify their values and make choices that align with them.

Attachment-based work is used to look at patterns that began in early relationships and how those patterns show up now. That can be helpful for people struggling with abandonment issues, family of origin problems, or difficulty trusting others. Dialectical Behavior Therapy skills are offered when emotional regulation and distress tolerance are priorities.

Her background includes community resources, court systems, and knowledge of psychiatric diagnoses and medications. She has supported people dealing with grief, trauma, addiction, parenting stress, and chronic health challenges. Stephanie lives in Long Island, New York, and brings a down-to-earth style to sessions, aiming for simple, manageable steps that fit everyday life.

How her approaches shape online therapy

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people name what matters to them and take small steps toward those values despite difficult thoughts or feelings. It can be useful for stress, anxiety, and sleep problems when the focus is on living in line with priorities. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps identify and change unhelpful thoughts and routines that keep problems going, which can be practical for insomnia, anxiety, and mood concerns. Attachment-Based Therapy looks at early relationship patterns and how they affect present connections and coping, which can help with abandonment concerns and family of origin issues.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will collaborate with each person to choose methods that fit their goals and daily life. That may mean starting with CBT tools and adding ACT or attachment-focused work as new needs emerge.

The biography indicates sessions have been offered by live chat, phone, video, and text, so confirm current options when booking. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into busy schedules, allow shorter check-ins when time is tight, and offer alternatives when video is not feasible. Talk with the therapist during the first scheduling step about which format would best match your routine and the kinds of exercises you want to try.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyAddictionsSelf esteem Depression Coping with life changes

Also works with

Relationship issuesFamily conflictsTrauma and abuse GriefSleeping disordersParenting issuesAnger managementCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderADHD

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentBlended family issuesBody imageCaregiver issues and stress Chronic pain, illness, and disabilityCo-morbidityCodependencyCommitment issuesCommunication problemsControl issuesDivorce and separationDomestic violenceDrug and alcohol addictionEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFatherhood issuesFertility issuesForgivenessGuilt and shameImpulsivityInfidelityIsolation / lonelinessJealousyLife purposeMen's issuesMidlife crisisMoney and financial issuesMood disordersObsessions, compulsions, and OCDParanoiaPersonality disordersPolyamory / non-monogamous relationshipsPostpartum depressionPregnancy and childbirthProcess addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-harmSelf-loveSex addictionSexual dysfunctionSexualitySmoking / vaping cessationSocial anxiety and phobiaSomatizationWomen's issuesWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Attachment-Based TherapyClient-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)Mindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingNarrative TherapySolution-Focused Therapy

Experience

26+ years

Credentials

New York

Languages

English

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does she address?

She helps people with stress, anxiety, depression, addictions, sleep difficulties, relationship and family issues, grief, trauma, parenting strain, anger, career stress, ADHD, bipolar concerns, and related areas.

What is her therapy style like?

Her approach is warm and person-centered with practical exercises. She uses talk, role play, and skills practice to help clients change thoughts and behaviors.

How much clinical experience does she have?

She brings 26 years of experience working in social work and clinical settings, including community resources and court-related systems.

What are her credentials and location?

She is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) based in New York.

Which languages are supported and can she work internationally?

Sessions are offered in English, and she accepts international clients.

What session formats are available?

The original biography lists live chat, phone, video, and text as offered formats; confirm current session options before booking.

How does pricing work?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.

How do I begin working with her?

Click the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule based on the therapist's availability.