Stephen Vivar

My name is Stephen, and I'm a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. I earned my undergraduate degree from New York University, where I double majored in Film & Television Production and Psychology, before earning my Master of Social Work from Columbia University.

Throughout my career, I have had the opportunity to work in a wide range of settings, including hospitals, outpatient clinics, shelters, and community-based environments. My work has also included meeting with people directly in their homes and on the street, allowing me to support individuals in the environments where they live and navigate their daily lives. These experiences have given me a broad perspective on the many factors that can shape a person’s emotional well-being and have reinforced the importance of approaching each client as a unique individual.

My approach to therapy is eclectic and individualized because no two people are the same, and therapy should reflect that. I draw from a variety of therapeutic techniques, ensuring a customized approach that suits your specific needs, goals, and circumstances.

I believe trust is the key to building an authentic therapist-client relationship so that we can undertake the crucial work of sifting through trials and joys together. I work to hold a space that is safe and free of judgment and criticism. I ask a lot of questions to get to know more about you, utilize humor when appropriate, and use stories and analogies to help paint a clearer picture of what is already there.

I’ll ask questions about your life journey so far to get to know you better, understand what brings you to therapy, and learn where you would like to go from here. I’ll complete a comprehensive intake to better understand your current concerns, your history, and the experiences that have shaped you. We’ll also begin identifying your goals for therapy and discussing what you hope to get out of our work together.

While the first session involves gathering information, it is also an opportunity for you to get a sense of who I am and how I work.