Therapist Dr. Stephen Heelan Photo

Dr. Stephen Heelan, LMHC

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About me

Dr. Stephen Heelan completed a graduate level program in Counseling Psychology from Palm Beach Atlantic University. Upon graduation he attended Carlos Albizu University’s Psy.D program in Clinical Psychology with a focus on Neuropsychology. He went on to earn his doctorate from the Clinical Sexology program, at the American Academy of Clinical Sexology at Maimonides University.
Dr. Heelan is a licensed mental health counselor in Florida and New York. Along with being a Board Certified Professional Counselor, has over 15 years’ experience working in clinical mental health and substance abuse settings, working with a diverse, dual diagnosed population. He currently, or has maintained memberships in the American Board of Sexology, Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers, American Psychotherapy Association, and The American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress.
Typically my clients have been told that a problem exists in the areas of personality, substance abuse, or both. They have trouble coping with, or interfacing with their emotional environments. Accept the client where they are at during presentation; then see the presenting problem(s) they are experiencing through their eyes, not mine. My therapeutic approach is designed to empower clients from a position of knowledge, versus fear, for those seeking to engage in recovery, or simply searching for relief from their maladaptive patterns of behavior(s). I believe that unless we can uncover the reason(s) for acting out, and develop alternatives that meet the client's needs, then it is unlikely that change(s) can be sustained.
I am not judgmental. Being oriented in the biological models of mental health and pathology, I am of the belief that always the potential for help or relief exists for us... Hard work; sure, sometimes, most times often...however if we do the work together, make the effort collectively, tomorrow's have the potential to shine brighter than the tarnished and troubling yesterdays! I consider it critical for the client to entertain and work with me in processing the pathology in the statement "you are what you think..." Labels while necessary by context have much more worth on soup cans than they do on people.
My job is to identify the pathology and obstacles, then work with the individual(s) to process or develop alternatives to the skills and strategies that are presently not working for them.
Self-doubt, whether self-proscribed or assigned, makes for a lonely existence. Tarnished self-esteem, whether self-proscribed, or assigned, is limiting. In the short, I believe limitations are self-imposed...finding a way out of the depths of the mental health "well" can be attained through therapy. It takes a credible, knowledgeable, therapist to develop the means to "get out and stay out" of the depths of despair often found in that mental health "well of darkness or trouble."
To me, with help at hand, it is illogical for one not to grasp at a resolve!

Services offered

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License information

FL LMHC 10644

NY LMHC 004947