Incremental shifts lead to monumental changes.
Dr. Stephanie Unwin-Kuruneri is a licensed clinical psychologist with 20 years of experience working with adults, adolescents, and families in clinical, hospital and research settings.
About Me.
The complexity of the human experience has always compelled me to understand people. After several years working as an Applied Behavior Analysis counselor in Boston, I left Massachusetts to pursue a master’s degree in Psychology and Education from Columbia University in 2005. I then spent three years researching the mental health effects of the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center by interviewing evacuees, first responders and their families at the New York State Psychiatric Institute. I received a second master’s degree in School Psychology in 2009, and Doctor of Psychology degree (PsyD) in 2012 from Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology at Yeshiva University. During my training, I completed externship rotations at Bellevue Hospital’s Intensive Personality Disorder Program, Lincoln Medical Center and completed my APA Accredited predoctoral Internship at Woodhull Medical Center in Brooklyn.
Who I Work With.
People who come to see me often struggle with diverse concerns such as anxiety, depression, trauma, obsessive compulsive disorder, racial and gender identity, sexuality, addiction, bicultural issues, work-stress, learning disabilities, and emotional dysregulation.
My Approach.
Learning to trust yourself and what you know about yourself takes time and work. As a team, we will work to help you develop insight into yourself. We will work together to better understand your emotions, thoughts, and behaviors, and learn strategies and skills to achieve your goals. I use a holistic, intersectional lens (looking at context and psychosocial factors) to help you identify goals and build positive change in your life. While I operate from a psychodynamic framework (considering your formative experiences), I also incorporate a variety of evidence-based approaches (CBT, DBT, EMDR) that work best for you and your unique needs.
Areas of Expertise
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Mood Disorders
- Obsessive-Compulsive (OCD)
- Racial & Gender Identity
- Relationship Issues
- Self Esteem
- Group therapy
- Self-Harming
- Psychoeducational Assessment
- Trauma and PTSD
- Anger Management
- Bicultural & Multicultural Issues
- Education and Learning Disabilities
I am happy to discuss any questions or concerns you may have about beginning therapy.
Entertainment Consultant
In addition to therapy, I was a consultant to show runners and head writers on the fourth season of HBOs In Treatment, offering expertise in the presentation and treatment of mental health issues in the script and the complex relationship between therapist and patient.
