Stephanie Southard, LCSW - Therapist in New York

Anxiety and stress
Family of origin
Cognitive behavioral work

About Stephanie

Stephanie Southard is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in New York with 26 years of experience. She works with stress, anxiety, addictions, depression, relationship and family concerns, and other issues linked to how people were raised. Stephanie focuses on practical steps people can use to change thoughts, behaviors, and reactions that keep old patterns going.

She uses cognitive behavioral techniques to help identify unhelpful thoughts and try new ways of responding. She also draws on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to clarify values and on Attachment-Based approaches to look at how early relationships shape current expectations. Sessions can include exercises and role play to practice different skills.

Stephanie has worked in community and clinical settings in New York and has assisted people dealing with grief, parenting challenges, blended family issues, caregiving stress, chronic illness, and substance concerns. Her work also addresses family of origin issues such as abandonment, communication problems, and boundaries that keep repeating across relationships.

Conversations are focused and goal-oriented. She helps people set small, manageable steps for coping with life changes, sleep problems, anger, or career stress. Practical strategies for managing mood and substance use are part of the approach.

She offers sessions in English and accepts international clients. Before booking, confirm current session options and scheduling details.

How therapeutic approaches are used in online sessions

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people notice thoughts without fighting them and clarify what matters most. In online sessions this can translate into short exercises and values-based goals to try between meetings. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying unhelpful thought patterns and testing different behaviors. Online work often uses worksheets, behavioral experiments, and rehearsed role play to practice new responses. Attachment-Based Therapy looks at how early family relationships shape expectations in current relationships and can help people explore repeating patterns and boundary issues in the context of family of origin concerns.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will collaborate with each person to decide which methods fit their goals, needs, and comfort. That may mean combining ACT, CBT, or attachment-focused conversations and adjusting techniques as progress is made.

Confirm specific session formats before booking so you know what is offered at the time. When available, online formats can make it easier to fit sessions into a daily routine, shorten check-ins when needed, and allow work that does not require being on camera. Discussing practical preferences ahead of the first session helps ensure sessions fit into everyday life.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, Anxiety Addictions Self esteem Depression Coping with life changes

Also works with

Relationship issuesFamily conflictsTrauma and abuse GriefSleeping disordersParenting issuesAnger managementCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderADHD

Additional focus areas

Abandonment Blended family issues Body image Caregiver issues and stressChronic pain, illness, and disabilityCo-morbidityCodependency Commitment issues Communication problems Control issues Divorce and separationDomestic violenceDrug and alcohol addictionEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFatherhood issuesFertility issuesForgiveness Guilt and shameImpulsivityInfidelity Isolation / loneliness Jealousy Life purpose Men's issues Midlife crisis Money and financial issues Mood 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 issues Workplace issues Young 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

Listed in

New York

Languages

English

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of concerns does she address?

She works with stress, anxiety, addictions, depression, relationship and family concerns, and related areas like grief, parenting, and sleep problems.

What is her general therapeutic style?

She uses focused, practical work that includes cognitive behavioral techniques, role play, and exercises to practice new responses.

How much experience does she have?

She has 26 years of clinical experience working in New York in community and clinical settings.

What credentials and location are listed?

She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) licensed in New York and is based in New York.

Which languages are supported?

Sessions are offered in English.

Does she work with international clients?

Yes, she accepts international clients; confirm any scheduling or regional details when arranging sessions.

How are sessions delivered?

Session formats should be confirmed before booking; the reader should check current options to know what formats are available.

How much do sessions cost and how do subscriptions work?

Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time; check the service details for current rates.

Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger, use the emergency numbers. Looking for someone else? Find them by surname.