(646) 828-6300
info@heidielias.com
Therapy for healing toxic relationships

About

The Experience of Therapy With Me

Many people are surprised at how easy they feel talking with me from the start. Our conversations will be relaxed, natural, and very real. I approach my therapy work with humility, curiosity, and respect for your inner wisdom. Also with a sense of humor— as appropriate. I do not assume that I know better than you, about you. I listen intently.

My style is consistent with who I am in daily life—warm, grounded, and straightforward. I ask questions with care and proper timing, allowing you to draw your own conclusions. I maintain a calm, attuned presence that invites honesty. This is how trust begins.

I believe therapy should empower you—not create dependence. My goal is for you to become your own best ally. I want you to rely on your inner compass, not mine.

A Personal Path to Healing

My healing journey—otherwise known as my life—has taken me through many schools of thought including an exploration of world religions, alternative therapies, numerous philosophies, and esoteric traditions. I studied herbology, nutrition, and mysticism. I engaged in a wide variety of practices and approaches—all in an effort to heal myself.

This lifelong exploration has become the foundation of my work. When you work with me, you benefit from the depth and breadth of this lived experience—applied with presence, discernment, and care. As a visual artist, who enjoys creating and experiencing beauty in all its forms, I find inspired solutions to challenging situations.

Why This Work Matters

I know what it is like to live with self-doubt, people-pleasing, and the fear of speaking up. I grew up in a home where there was limited emotional safety, and I have also done the deep work of healing from childhood trauma myself. These early experiences shaped my empathy and gave me a profound respect for the strength it takes to grow.

I do this work because I believe in your ability to change—and that belief is rooted in both personal and professional experiences.

Professional Experience

For more than three decades, I have devoted my career to the field of mental health. I began my career as a caseworker in New York City shelters. I worked first with unhoused women, then with men. These early roles taught me how to connect with people in honest and meaningful ways, and they instilled in me a deep belief in every person’s capacity for change.

After earning my MSW from Hunter College (Silberman), I became a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and opened my private practice. I also served as a Program Specialist for the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, planning, monitoring and overseeing services for individuals with serious mental illness. I have also provided psychotherapy in various clinics, and mentored new social work graduates.

I hold a certification in Somatic Experiencing (SEP) from the Somatic Experiencing Training Institute. This body-based trauma work deeply informs my approach.

Credentials and Memberships

  • MSW, Hunter College (Silberman) School of Social Work
  • LCSW, New York, New Jersey, Florida, Connecticut
  • SEP, Somatic Experiencing International
  • Member, NASW
  • Member and Mentor, NYSSCSW

Let’s Talk

Finding the right therapist is key. I offer a free 20-minute Zoom consultation to see if working together feels right. To begin, schedule a brief phone call below. I look forward to connecting.