About Me

anxiety
Clients describe me as a good listener and easy to talk to.

One of my favorite things to do is to sit down and have a meaningful conversation with another woman. If both of us feel that we have grown from the experience, then even better. I take pride in my ability to understand anxiety, and to embrace the scars of childhood trauma, while connecting with my client as a whole person. 

I am an active participant in psychotherapy sessions, and will prompt and guide you as needed. In between the hard topics, we may share a good laugh or two. My office is a sacred space where women are respected and supported while telling me their stories.

You Deserve to Feel Good About Yourself.

Hello! My name is Heidi Elias, LCSW, SEP. I am an Integrative Psychotherapist and Somatic Experiencing Practitioner (SEP) based in New York City. I work with women who suffer from anxiety and/or are survivors of childhood trauma.

My own experience with psychotherapy has helped me understand how my childhood experiences have affected me as an adult, and how I can move past them. Since gaining this life changing insight, I’ve made it my mission to help other women do the same.

Download my Free Guide on effective communication skills, “Say What You Mean.”

More About Me

I have been a helping professional and an advocate for individuals living with severe mental illness for over 25 years, beginning as a caseworker in shelters for women in New York City. After receiving my Master of Social Work (MSW) degree from Hunter College School of Social Work and becoming a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), I opened my psychotherapy practice. Since then, my private practice has been my primary area of focus, though I have also served in other noteworthy roles.

I worked as a Program Specialist for the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYCDOHMH), ensuring that New Yorkers living with severe mental illness received quality mental health rehabilitation services through Clubhouse programs. In this capacity, I also served as the lead of the Silberman (Hunter) School of Social Work Scholarship Program at DOHMH.

In 2019, I began mentoring a group of recent graduates of Social Work Masters Programs through the New York State Society of Clinical Social Workers (NYSSCSW).

I am currently a member of the Somatic Experiencing Trauma Institute (SETI), the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), the New York State Society of Clinical Social Workers (NYSSCSW), and the Eastern Group Psychotherapy Society (EGPS).

Office

What My Clients Say

  • It has been difficult for me in the past to open up completely to therapists in the way that I needed to in order to benefit from the service. From day one, Heidi always made me feel comfortable through being genuine, present, warm and non-judgemental. This allowed for me to completely open up, be vulnerable and bring to sessions the topics that I deeply needed to speak about. Heidi is creative and open-minded and she helped me to have to develop a more hopeful and expansive worldview. I always looked forward to our sessions together.

    JG

  • Most of my life I lived with a feeling that something was off. I could never tell what it is, but the feeling was always there. I came to Heidi in hopes of "saving" my relationship, and through our work I found something better, I found myself. Before Heidi I was skeptical of therapy, I thought only "crazy" people went there. At first I was nervous and uncomfortable, but Heidi was so gentle, empathetic, and non judgmental that I soon was looking forward to our sessions. She gently guided me on the journey of discovering truth about my childhood and the suppressed feelings that I've been carrying around for decades. With Heidi I discovered psychosomatic therapy (somatic experiences), and consciously experienced parts of myself I didn't know existed. I now know where the feeling of something being off comes from and why it's there. I've become connected to my body and my emotions, I've learned how to be empathetic, non-judgmental, and loving towards myself. Heidi showed me how good it feels to be seen and heard for who I really am.

    ZK

  • Empathy is the truest mark of a psychotherapist, and Heidi's ability to truly listen and care is what makes her such a fantastic therapist. Throughout my time with Heidi I always felt supported. Her understanding and flexibility went a long way towards creating a safe space. I can honestly say much of the progress I have made, the confidence I feel now, is directly because of our time together.

    JB

  • I remember I was so nervous to have my first session with Heidi because I did not know what to expect but because she was so patient, kind and understanding she made me feel very comfortable to open up. One of the main things she’s helped me accomplish is to stand up for myself, communicating, and also has helped me to not overthink my decisions. I look forward to our sessions every week because it gives me a chance to talk about the strengths and weaknesses I’ve come across and her guidance has really helped me. Thank you Heidi!

    LZ

  • I started seeing Heidi when I was having trouble at work. I really liked her practice of meeting with you so we could both decide whether we were a good fit for one another. Her warm and welcoming demeanor put me at ease almost at once. Heidi is a great listener, and very thoughtful in her responses. As a result of her guidance and support, I was able to overcome my fears of career growth. Her techniques made it possible for me to succeed in my endeavors to find a new, more suitable position. After 20 years in the workforce, thanks to Heidi, I was finally able to find the right professional environment. Heidi has also helped me grow in my personal life. She has opened my eyes to focusing on what is important to me, and not just accepting things as they are if it is not right for me. I have gone through a few heartaches, and thanks to Heidi, I have been more selective and that has led to a much more fulfilling outcome in terms of relationships, whether it be friends or romance.

    SR

  • I would not be where I am today without the work I've done with Heidi. This includes navigating a career as an educator, aiming for growth and still maintaining my sanity. It also includes learning about myself, my impulses and strategies to deal with those, as well as learning to set boundaries with those around me. Heidi has helped me not just find my voice, but to clarify it and use it to support my strengths and goals.

    CC

Get In Touch

Contact me to schedule a free 20-minute consultation.

heidi elias

Call

(646) 828-6300

Email

info@heidielias.com

Address

161 W. 54th Street, #203
New York, NY 10019

Business Hours

Tuesday to Friday: 11AM – 7PM

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