Steph Sterling, LCSW (NY, NJ & FL), LICSW (MA), is a seasoned relationship therapist with nearly two decades of experience helping high-achieving individuals and couples strengthen communication, deepen emotional intimacy, and transform conflict into connection. Her work blends deep emotional insight with practical, actionable tools so clients do not just talk about change, they live it.

Steph earned her Master’s in Social Work from New York University (NYU) in 2006 and is a Certified Imago Relationship Therapist. She co-owns Alternatives Counseling with her wife, Dr. Darcy Sterling, where she guides clients from pain to connection by refining communication, deepening emotional bonds, and equipping them with practical tools to navigate conflict with confidence.

Trained in EMDR, IFS, and the Gottman Method, Steph helps clients navigate communication breakdowns, unresolved trauma, and relational stagnation with clarity and compassion. Her approach is warm, direct, and collaborative, grounded in the belief that even the most successful people need support when it comes to love, vulnerability, and growth.

Psychedelic Harm Reduction & Integration (PHRI) and Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP)

Before reaching out, please note that Steph does NOT:

• Administer psychedelic or psychoactive substances.

• Refer clients to anyone who administers or sells illegal substances.

• Act as a “sitter” during psychedelic experiences.

For high-achieving clients and professionals seeking deeper self-understanding or healing, psychedelic experiences can open profound opportunities for growth. Steph helps clients prepare with intention, integrate insights, and translate those experiences into meaningful, sustainable change.

Integration begins before the experience itself, with thoughtful preparation, emotional readiness, and safety planning. Afterward, she works collaboratively with clients to process insights, navigate challenging experiences, and embody transformation in their daily lives.

Steph approaches this work from a harm reduction, trauma-informed, and relational framework that honors client autonomy while supporting grounded exploration. Drawing from nearly twenty years in relational and trauma therapy, she uses mindfulness, somatic awareness, and experiential techniques to help clients embody insight rather than simply intellectualize it.

Through her partnership with Journey Clinical, Steph offers Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP), a legal and evidence-based modality that combines ketamine with psychotherapy to deepen emotional processing and foster neuroplasticity. KAP sessions provide a structured, safe environment for expanded awareness and integration.  Steph also collaborates with other clinicians, psychiatrists, and coaches to ensure a cohesive, integrated care experience.

Steph may also recommend non-substance-based practices such as mindfulness, breathwork, or somatic modalities that complement the integration process.