Jeanne Stearns, LCSW-R

Jeanne Stearns is a licensed clinical social worker in New York who brings 20 years of experience to conversations about stress, anxiety, addiction, trauma, and relationship concerns. She meets people where they are and focuses on their strengths as the starting point for change. Jeanne writes plainly and works to make therapy feel doable for busy lives.

Clients can expect a calm, practical approach that centers their own story. Jeanne believes people are the experts on their lives and uses that knowledge to guide sessions. She helps clients name patterns, try small changes, and build on what already works.

Her style blends clear tools with listening. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is one method she uses to help people notice how thoughts and behaviors affect feelings. She also uses client-centered listening to make space for what matters most to each person.

Jeanne has substantial experience with grief, parenting stress, intimacy-related concerns, anger, self-esteem, career shifts, bipolar disorder, ADHD, and coping with life changes. She also works with issues tied to family of origin, codependency, abandonment, and process addictions such as gambling or compulsive behaviors.

People who reach out often want practical strategies and steady support. Jeanne offers a collaborative tone and helps people set achievable goals. She supports clients as they try new approaches and adjust plans when needed.

How Jeanne’s approaches work online

Jeanne commonly uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and client-centered methods when working with people online. CBT helps identify patterns of thought and behavior and offers practical steps to test small changes, which can be useful for anxiety, depression, and habit-related problems. Client-centered therapy focuses on listening and reflecting so the person’s own goals and values guide each session.

She may also draw on Motivational Interviewing to support people who feel stuck or ambivalent about change, using focused questions to help clarify reasons for change and strengthen motivation. Choosing the right mix of methods is a team effort; Jeanne works collaboratively with each person to decide what feels most helpful based on their goals and preferences.

Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. Video sessions let people use visual cues when discussing sensitive topics. Phone sessions can be easier when bandwidth is limited or when someone prefers not to be on camera. Live chat and messaging work well for brief check-ins, homework support, or ongoing encouragement between longer sessions. These options make it easier to fit therapy into busy schedules and different routines.