About Dr. Stewart
My Approach
I believe that the therapeutic relationship is at the core of any clinical work. My work initiates from a client centered stance and infuses principles and techniques from psychodynamic, cognitive behavioral, and eastern theories and philosophies. Human beings need to be seen, to be heard, to have a sense of connection, and to have a sense of belonging. It is my deepest privilege to offer a therapeutic space where those needs can be met.
My Experience
After pursuing a career in the arts, I entered graduate school at Chatham University to earn a Masters degree in Counseling Psychology. While there, I completed three field placements at Mayview State Hospital in Pittsburgh's South Hills. At Mayview, I fell in love with clinical work and realized that I both wanted and needed to pursue a doctoral degree in order to move forward in my career, learn more about the work I wanted to do, and most importantly, gain the experience I needed to offer quality care to my future clients. While there, I also learned the immeasurable importance of sitting and listening to someone and just sharing in their experience.
Through my internship at Mayview, I learned that Carlow University was in the process of starting a PsyD program in Counseling Psychology and contacted their department chair. That contact led to an application, which led to an interview, which led to a spot in the program's initial class and a graduate assistantship. At Carlow, I learned that my love of practicing psychology was matched by a love of teaching. I taught undergraduate classes and was a teaching assistant for masters level classes, all while completing my course work, as well as two year long practicum experiences. My first practicum was at Allegheny General Hospital (AGH), performing neuropsychological evaluations in both inpatient and outpatient settings, and my second was at Carnegie Mellon University's Counseling and Psychological Services in outpatient psychotherapy. Both experiences were invaluable and helped me to secure an internship at Torrance State Hospital.
Near the conclusion of my internship at Torrance, I was offered a full-time faculty position at my alma mater, Carlow. Excited to stay in Pittsburgh and teach, I happily accepted the position. While balancing a full time academic position and a post-doctoral fellowship in order to gain clinical hours for licensure, I realized that my time with clients was not something I wanted to sacrifice. After two years at Carlow, I resigned in order to have more time for clinical work. Luckily, a position was open at AGH, where I had completed a practicum. This position gave me a chance to focus more on clinical work while still teaching in the form of providing lectures and supervision to Psychology Interns and Psychiatry Residents. Three very fulfilling years practicing and teaching at AGH led to the difficult and exciting decision to open my own practice. I am deeply honored to be able to offer my services in a setting that I believe is reflective of my therapeutic style.
My Credentials
- Doctor of Psychology, Counseling Psychology, Carlow University, 2011, Summa Cum Laude
- Master of Science, Counseling Psychology, Chatham University, 2006, Summa Cum Laude
- Bachelor of Music, Vocal Performance, New York University, 2001, Magna Cum Laude
- Teacher of the Year, 2015-2016, Department of Psychiatry, Allegheny General Hospital
- Credentialed as a Health Psychologist by the National Register of Health Service Psychologists
- Member, American Psychological Association
- Member, Pennsylvania Psychological Association