How I Can Help

At the heart of my work is the belief that our deeper emotional experiences—those moments of stillness, vulnerability, and emotional heaviness—are not obstacles, but invitations. Invitations to slow down, tune in, and move toward what is sacred and ready to be healed. This work is supported through therapy that honors both emotional depth and practical change.

I offer a calm, grounded presence, allowing you to feel safe, seen, and understood. I specialize in working with individuals, particularly those who are highly sensitive and navigating the layered impacts of complex trauma, identity exploration, and relational wounds. As a cognitive behavioral therapist, I help clients understand how thoughts, emotions and behaviors interact with daily life.

For those seeking more than traditional talk therapy, I offer a space to explore how your emotions, especially sadness, grief, or heartache, can connect you to your deeper self and sense of truth. Alongside this depth-oriented work, I incorporate cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to help identify unhelpful thinking patterns and develop practical tools for managing anxiety, stress and emotional overwhelm. My therapy style is collaborative and relational. I believe you are the expert of your own life—my role is to walk beside you with curiosity and care, offering guidance, support, and practical tools to help you feel more empowered and connected to yourself.

In addition to my clinical work, I studied theatre at The New School and have a deep love for Broadway. I even dabbled in stage management, which continues to inform my therapeutic approach. My creative background enriches how I work with clients—I value presence, attunement, and bringing a deep sense of humanity and nuance into each session.

My style is collaborative and relational. I believe you are the expert of your own life—my role is to walk beside you with curiosity, care, and tools for growth. I’ve received intensive training in trauma-focused modalities, including EMDR (through an EMDRIA-approved training), somatic-based practices, and psychodynamic approaches. I’m also trained in trauma-informed care and committed to creating a therapeutic space that feels emotionally safe, culturally attuned, and deeply respectful of your story.

What Makes Me Credible

Professional Credentials & Training

Licensed to Practice as a Social Worker

Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW), New York. 

Graduate-Level Education and Academic Foundations

• Master of Science in Social Work, New York University.
• Master of Arts in Liberal Studies: Childhood and Youth Studies, The Graduate Center, CUNY.
• Bachelor of Arts in Theatre, The New School (New School University).

Advanced Clinical Training and Certifications

EMDR Specialization

• EMDR Basic Training — Trauma Institute & Child Trauma Institute (EMDRIA-approved).
• Progressive Counting & Flash Technique training — Trauma Institute & Child Trauma Institute.

Scholarships & Publications

Published work: “The Implementation of Empathy in the Cartoon Hey Arnold.“

REACH OUT TO STARNISE JOHNSON, LMSW

Are you a new client? Please feel free to contact me or self-schedule below.

Every person arrives with their own story, strengths, and history. It’s a privilege to sit with that and to help you move toward what’s ready to heal. I’d be glad to learn what’s bringing you in and what you’re hoping for.