Dr. Josh Stieber Licensed Psychologist

Therapy was extremely helpful to me in my journey. I experienced Religious Trauma growing up; I also joined the military right after high school and had a lot to sort through after a combat deployment. Seeing how powerful therapy was in my life, combined with my own strengths of compassionate listening and curiosity, inspired me to pursue a career as a therapist.

Irvin Yalom's The Gift of Therapy. It is a book of wisdom from an elder therapist that I read early in my training and several of his messages often come to mind in my work. First, Yalom advises to create a new therapy for every client. I find this to be extremely liberating. Yes, I can draw on research and prior work. But, ultimately, every person is on their unique path; remembering this truth helps me to stay present and also to bring in creativity in the clinical work. Second, he writes that the role of the therapist is not to find the answers but to help clients remove the obstacles to their peace and wholeness. This perspective, I have found, gives great respect to the inner healing abilities that each of us have. I can help you look for patterns, identify emotions, explore difficult territory, and so on; but at the end of the day, we are working to unlock your inner strength and wisdom and that is where the most enduring answers will be found.

If you are hesitant about therapy, I get it! Going deep into your emotions, trusting someone you don't know, revisiting troubling experiences... this is intimidating. My wish for you is that you can remember other times in your life that you pursued something challenging and can recall how rewarding it was. Yes, therapy is hard work... and it is also hard to avoid therapy when it is calling to you. It is draining to hide from difficult emotions, push away troubling memories, and watch as struggling parts of yourself get in the way of your goals in life--relationships, work, inner peace, and more. If and when you go through the therapy process, you can reach a place of feeling compassion for yourself, understanding the patterns that get in your way, and lifting burdens that have held you down. Finding this kind of relief, while challenging, is--at least in my experience--one of the most fulfilling things that you can do for yourself.

• New York, Licensed Psychologist, 023849

For most of my career, to this point, I have worked at Mount Sinai's World Trade Center Mental Health Program (WTCMHP). This clinic serves rescue and recovery works from the 9/11 attacks as they confront their trauma and seek support in other areas of their lives. At WTCMHP, I do individual therapy and run a process group for people wanting to improve their family relationships. Couples therapy is a major emphasis of mine and I directly work with couples as well as train and supervise other clinicians in their work with couples. Prior to this position, I did practicum placements at several New York City hospitals where I learned through a wide range of experiences. In 2023, I expanded from my WTCMHP position and launched Winding Elm Psychotherapy. My goal with this practice is to emphasize other areas of specialization, including therapy for Religious Trauma as well as psychedelic integration and therapies (currently Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy). I am also excited to continue the work that I have found incredibly meaningful in supporting those who have been traumatized and in helping partners through couples therapy.