Stefanie Fernandez, LCSW-R - Therapist in New York

About Stefanie

Stefanie Fernandez, LCSW-R, offers gentle, practical help for parents and families facing stress, anxiety, loss, and relationship strain. She writes and speaks plainly in sessions so parents can quickly talk through what matters most. Stefanie draws on 25 years of clinical work in New York to guide the process without jargon.

Her approach centers on what a family or parent needs right now. She works with each person to set clear goals and pick tools that fit daily life.

Background and approach

Mindfulness and growing self-awareness are frequent parts of sessions, along with strategies to manage mood and worry. Stefanie uses several proven methods and tailors them to each situation. She blends techniques from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to change unhelpful patterns and build workable habits.

Emotionally-Focused Therapy ideas help couples and family members improve connection and communication. Sessions usually begin by identifying a few priorities to address first. Therapy is collaborative and paced to the family’s needs.

Clients can expect straightforward skill building, check-ins on progress, and adjustments when something isn’t helping. Beyond clinical work, Stefanie mentors social work students and supervises new personal practitioners. That teaching role keeps her current with practice and thoughtful about how to support lasting change.

Therapeutic approaches that translate to online work

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) focuses on noticing thoughts and feelings without getting stuck in them, then choosing actions that match one’s values. It is useful for anxiety, stress, and helping parents make choices that matter to their family life. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps people spot unhelpful thinking and change behaviors in daily routines, which can ease worry and mood problems. Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) helps couples and family members understand emotional patterns and improve how they connect and talk to one another. Finding the right approach is part of the work. Stefanie will talk with each person or parent about goals and preferences, and then suggest methods that fit. She treats the choice as a team decision and adjusts the plan as progress is seen or needs change. Online sessions offer practical benefits for busy families. Video calls let people meet face to face from home, while phone sessions provide a simpler option when screens are difficult. Live chat and text-based messaging help maintain contact between sessions and allow for brief check-ins or coaching moments. These options make it easier to fit therapy into a family schedule and keep momentum as goals are pursued.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

Less about arguing with difficult thoughts, more about loosening their grip and acting on what matters to you anyway. Values and committed action carry the work, which suits conversation at a distance.

Client-Centered Therapy

The direction comes from you rather than from a set programme. The therapist offers a warm, non-judgemental space to think out loud and work at your own pace. Online, this rests on the relationship rather than on being in the same room.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT looks at the link between what you think, how you feel, and what you do. You work on noticing unhelpful patterns and practising steadier responses. It suits online sessions well, because much of the work happens between appointments and can be talked through from anywhere.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does she address for families and parents?

She works with stress, anxiety, depression, family and relationship problems, grief, trauma and many related issues listed in her specialties.

What is her general therapy style?

She practices in a collaborative, client-driven style that emphasizes clear goals, practical skills, and increased self-awareness.

How long has she been practicing?

She has 25 years of clinical experience working with diverse emotional health issues.

Where is she based and what are her credentials?

She practices in New York and holds the LCSW-R credential, NY LCSW-R 069980.

Which languages are available for sessions?

Sessions are offered in English.

What session formats are offered?

Therapy is available by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging.

How is cost handled?

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

How do I begin working with her?

Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, completing a short matching questionnaire, and then scheduling according to therapist availability.

Specialties and expertise

Top specialties

Also works with

Abandonment
ADHD
Aging and geriatric issues
Bipolar disorder
Body image
Career difficulties
Caregiver issues and stress
Chronic pain, illness, and disability
Co-morbidity
Coaching
Commitment issues
Communication problems
Compassion fatigue
Control issues
Coping with life changes
Coping with natural or human-caused disaster
Dependent personality
Depression
Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)
Divorce and separation
Eating disorders
Emptiness
Family of origin issues
Family problems
Forgiveness
Grief
Guilt and shame
Hoarding
Hospice and end-of-life counseling
Impulsivity
Infidelity
Intellectual disability
Isolation / loneliness
Life purpose
Midlife crisis
Mood disorders
Multicultural concerns
Panic disorder and panic attacks
Post-traumatic stress
Relationship issues
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
Self esteem
Self-love
Sexuality
Social anxiety and phobia
Somatization
Traumatic brain injury
Women's issues
Workplace issues

Therapeutic approaches

Experience: 25 years
Licensed: New York
Languages: English

Next step

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