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  • My Approach
  • The Process
  • About Stephanie
  • FAQ
  • Client Stories
  • Contact Me
MAKE AN APPOINTMENT
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logotype
  • My Approach
  • The Process
  • About Stephanie
  • FAQ
  • Client Stories
  • Contact Me
MAKE AN APPOINTMENT
logotype
  • My Approach
  • The Process
  • About Stephanie
  • FAQ
  • Client Stories
  • Contact Me

My Method - Watch Video

Start Living on Your Own Terms

Hi, I'm Stephanie.

I specialize in therapy for LGBTQ+, people of color — professionals, grad students, creatives — who are ready to:

✓ Heal old family wounds instead of just managing them
✓ Navigate identity, queerness, and culture with someone who gets it
✓ Stop surviving and start living on your own terms

Book Your Free Consultation

Do You Recognize Yourself in These Moments?

I’ve built a life I’m proud of — but underneath, I’m exhausted. I’m the one everyone leans on. 

The caretaker. The peacemaker. The one who holds it all together. 

And no one seems to notice there’s nothing left for me.

I grew up navigating between worlds — and I’m still doing it. 

Too queer for my family. Too brown for some spaces. Too “together” for anyone to see how much I’m carrying. 

I’ve never fully fit anywhere, and I’m tired of performing to belong.

MAKE AN APOINTMENT
My Approach

Connecting with the Right Therapist Can Be a Game Changer

Free Consultation

As an experienced therapist trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Mindfulness, the Gottman Method, and culturally responsive approaches — I use an integrative, personalized approach to help you heal from the past and build a life that actually feels like yours.

Every session is tailored to you, providing tools and strategies you can use right away. We'll move at your pace, ensuring you always feel supported and seen.

Heal Old Family Wounds

Using CBT and mindfulness, we'll get curious about the parts of you that hold it all together — the caretaker, the people-pleaser, the peacekeeper — and the old hurts underneath that drive them.

 

Build Relationships That Actually Work

With the Gottman Method and DBT, you'll develop communication skills, set real boundaries, and stop pouring into relationships that leave you empty.

Navigate Identity on Your Own Terms

Drawing on culturally responsive and intersectional approaches, we'll explore what it means to be queer, brown, and navigating between worlds — without needing to explain or perform for anyone.

 

MY PROCESS

How We'll Work Together

Step 1:Book Your Free 45-Minute Consultation

We'll explore what's bringing you to therapy, answer your questions, and make sure it feels like a good fit — for both of us.

Step 2:Get Your Personalized Therapy Plan

Together, we'll create a clear plan that addresses what matters most to you — not a one-size-fits-all approach.

Step 3:Consistent Support and Real Results

Weekly sessions that provide practical tools, measurable progress, and emotional clarity every step of the way including:

Building relationships and boundaries that don't drain you

Feeling more grounded, more yourself, and less weighed down

Creating lasting change — not just getting through the week

My Mission: When we heal old wounds and reconnect with who we really are, we stop passing down pain and start passing down freedom.
Every person who heals makes it easier for the next one.

About Stephanie

I get what it's like to be in spaces that weren't built for you — because I've been there. I'm a queer Afro-Latina.

I grew up navigating between cultures, languages, and identities — figuring out who I was in spaces that weren't built for all of me.

My background in community organizing shaped how I show up: warm, direct, and real. I don't just listen — I get in it with you.

Now, I help LGBTQ+ people of color — professionals, grad students, creatives — heal old family wounds, navigate identity, and build lives that actually feel like theirs.

Whether this is your first time in therapy or past experiences didn't fit, I'm here.

I received my MSW from Hunter College in 2014 and have been practicing for over 12 years.

My services are available in English, Spanish, and Spanglish.

Book Your Free Consultation Today
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FAQ's

Frequently Asked Questions

Still have questions? Here are the most common things new clients ask before starting therapy.

FREE CONSULTATION

01How much does therapy cost?

If using insurance: Most clients pay between $0–$60 per session, depending on their plan and whether they've met their deductible.

I'm in-network with most plans including:

✔ Aetna ✔ Anthem BCBS ✔ Oxford ✔ Oscar ✔ UnitedHealthcare

For out-of-network clients, I provide superbills if your plan accepts them. My billing service handles insurance and payment details so you can focus on you.

Without insurance: My out-of-pocket rate is $150 per individual session and $250 per couples session. Sliding scale is available.

02What are your hours?

I see clients Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM and Saturdays 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM.

03Do you offer in-person therapy?

No, I provide online therapy only for clients in New York State.

💡 This means you can access therapy from the comfort of home — without the hassle of travel.

04What happens in a therapy session?

Each session is 45 minutes long and tailored to what you need.

✔ We'll check in on how you're doing and keep therapy aligned with your goals ✔ We'll prioritize what's most pressing based on what's happening in your life ✔ You'll gain practical tools to help you heal old patterns, strengthen relationships, and build confidence ✔ Sessions take place in a judgment-free, affirming space where you can show up exactly as you are

05Do you accept insurance?

We offer a variety of therapeutic approaches, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Psychodynamic Therapy, Mindfulness-Based Therapy, Family and Couples Therapy, and more. Our therapists work with you to determine the best approach based on your individual needs.

06What if I've had a bad experience with therapy before?

Not all therapy is the same. The right fit makes all the difference.

💡 I specialize in working with LGBTQ+ people of color — people who may not have felt seen or understood in previous therapy experiences. My style is warm, direct, and real. I don't just listen — I get in it with you.

✔ We'll take time in your free consultation to make sure it feels right before moving forward

07Do you offer couples therapy?

Yes. I use the Gottman Method, a research-based approach that helps partners build stronger communication, navigate conflict, and deepen their connection. Couples sessions are $250 per session.

08How do I get started?

✔ Step 1: Book a free 45-minute consultation ✔ Step 2: We'll discuss your goals, challenges, and what you're looking for in therapy ✔ Step 3: If it feels like a good fit, we'll schedule your first session and start the work

💡 The hardest part is taking the first step. If you're ready to stop carrying it all alone, I'd love to talk.

testimonials

What Clients Are Saying

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A Life-Changing Experience!

"I've never had a therapist who actually got it — the cultural stuff, the family stuff, all of it. Stephanie didn't need a tutorial. For the first time, I could just focus on healing instead of explaining myself."

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Christina G.

client of company

Rebuilding Our Relationship!

“We’ve come out of therapy stronger and more connected than ever. We are so grateful for the guidance we received.”

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Emily L.

client of company

A Safe Space for Healing!

“Over time, I was able to work through my trauma and begin the healing process. I highly recommend their services to anyone.”

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Samantha F.

client of company

The mind is everything!

“We’ve come out of therapy stronger and more connected than ever. We are so grateful for the guidance we received.”

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Anna-Mary S.

personal therapist

Stephanie Maria Peña, LCSW

Crisis Notice: If you’re in immediate danger or experiencing a mental health crisis, call 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) or 911, or go to your nearest emergency room. This practice does not provide emergency services.

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