Psychotherapy
Stephanie A. Heck, Ph. D.
Professional Counseling and Psychotherapy for individuals and couples facing issues around pregnancy and new parenting
Dr. Heck’s practice has a special focus on supporting, counseling, and providing psychotherapy treatment for parents at all stages. Her practice also includes more general assessment, consultation, and treatment of adults struggling with relationship problems, anxiety, and other mood symptoms and disorders.
Dr. Heck has a particular interest in helping new and experienced parents cope with issues of parenthood.
The transition to parenthood can be a difficult phase of life. Parents often struggle with many issues, including postpartum emotions, parents’ return to work, decisions about childcare, the couple’s own relationship, relationships with extended family, and the general hassles of daily life. Despite the many joys of having a new child, these stresses can lead to feelings of being overwhelmed, burned out, anxious, or depressed. Caring for a baby or child can also call up positive and negative experiences that the parent had as a child with their own parents, which can in turn have an impact on the new parent-child relationship.
The challenges facing parents can be amplified if a child has a medical issue, disability, or special needs. Parents of older children, adolescents, or adults may face other types of issues, including managing transitions in their children’s lives, and managing relationship difficulties with their children.
Dr. Heck’s practice has a special focus on supporting, counseling, and providing psychotherapy treatment for parents at all stages. Her practice also includes more general assessment, consultation, and treatment of adults struggling with relationship problems, anxiety, and other mood symptoms and disorders.
Dr. Heck’s office is located at 8028 Germantown Avenue in the quaint Chestnut Hill neighborhood of Philadelphia. It is easily accessible by bus, train, or car. Parking is just outside the door.
Contact Information:
telephone: 215-991-5848
e-mail: stephanie@drheck.net
web: www.drheck.net
Stephanie A. Heck, Ph.D. earned an A.B. with Departmental Honors in Psychology from Vassar College in 1995, a Master of Science in Psychology from the Pennsylvania State University in 1999, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology from the Pennsylvania State University in 2003. Her doctoral research focused on the effects of stress and past life experiences on parents’ childrearing. She completed a predoctoral internship in Psychology at Pennsylvania Hospital in Philadelphia in 2003, and a postdoctoral fellowship in Psychology at Pennsylvania Hospital in 2004. She has been trained in a range of assessment methods and psychotherapy and counseling techniques for adults. Dr. Heck is currently on the faculty of the Early Childhood Mental Health Certification Program, which is offered by the Widener Univeristy Post-Graduate Center. In addition, she is the President of the Delaware Valley chapter of the World Association of Infant Mental Health (DVG-WAIMH). 