Welcoming Wellness: Meet the Newest Members of Our Therapy Team
Meet the New Faces of Our Team!
We asked our newest therapists some fun, get-to-know-you questions—what inspired them to become a therapist, how they practice self-care, and what they would get tattooed!
Meredith Morrissey, LMSW
Meredith practices out of our NYC office. She specializes in hypnosis, anxiety, depression, OCD, self-esteem, love, dating & relationships, trauma recovery, family dynamics, mindfulness, adolescents, emerging adults, and college students.
1. What originally inspired you to pursue a career in therapy or mental health?
Meet Meredith!
“I’ve always loved listening to people’s stories and being someone others feel comfortable opening up to. I think I just naturally gravitated toward helping people feel supported and understood and over time, that turned into a deeper passion for mental health and the therapy space.”
2. If you could get a phrase or quote tattooed, what would it be? And Why?
“One quote that I return to often is "what we resist persists" because it's a great reminder that when we avoid certain thoughts or feelings, they tend to stick around longer. So much of therapy is learning to turn toward discomfort rather than away from it, and that can be incredibly empowering.”
3. What’s a book, podcast, or movie that’s really stuck with you—and why?
“Radical Acceptance by Tara Brach is one that’s really stayed with me. It reminds me that there is so much power in meeting ourselves and our circumstances with compassion and acceptance rather than constantly trying to "fix" ourselves.”
4. When you’re not working, what’s something you love to do to recharge or do for self-care?
“I love going on long walks around the city and exploring new neighborhoods. I’m also a big reader and find it a great way to re-charge.”
Learn more about Meredith here!
Leaman Westly, LMSW
Leaman practices out of our NYC office. She specializes in anxiety, depression, self-esteem, love, dating & relationships, fertility & family building, grief & loss, trauma recovery, family dynamics, career, anger, substance abuse & addiction, children & teens
1. What originally inspired you to pursue a career in therapy or mental health?
“Well, to be honest I think the original spark came from the role I played in my family. I acted as "therapist," which of course is in quotes because none of us can be that to our own families. However, I did learn certain skills such as attunement, mediation, etc... at a young age. But it wasn't until college, when I studied the writing of psychoanalyst Adam Phillips that I had the experience of reading something I felt was about me, almost as if I had written it; then I really began to consider becoming a therapist.”
2. If you could get a phrase or quote tattooed, what would it be? And Why?
Meet Leaman!
“I actually don't have tattoos for this very reason--my allegiance to phrases is always changing! But in 2016 following Trump's first inauguration my neighbor wrote "Noli timere" on the marquee of the community center, which you know means "be not afraid." That really got me thinking about fear and I started to realize how much fear was influencing my decision making. So that has been--and continues to be--a very impactful phrase for me.”
3. What’s a book, podcast, or movie that’s really stuck with you—and why?
“I love the movie The Matrix. As much for the aesthetics and music as anything. The themes are fantastic--I like how it handles ideas of fate and freewill.”
4. When you’re not working, what’s something you love to do to recharge or do for self-care?
“So many things! I feel very lucky when I think about this. When I feel very depleted nothing can bring me back like spending the day at one of the many bath houses we have here in New York.”
Learn more about Leaman here!
Shawn Walters, AMFT
Shawn practices out of our Palo Alto office. He specializes in trauma recovery, self-esteem, couples counseling, life transitions, relationships, teens, midlife changes, interpersonal conflict, and family dynamics.
1. What originally inspired you to pursue a career in therapy or mental health?
Meet Shawn!
“My career in mental health was inspired by witnessing the profound effects of untreated mental health issues in individuals I cared deeply for. “
2. If you could get a phrase or quote tattooed, what would it be? And Why?
“"Respond to any call that excites your spirit.” Rumi. Importance of developing awareness and trust in your intuition. “
3. What’s a book, podcast, or movie that’s really stuck with you—and why?
“Cloud Atlas. Beautiful stories about Soul, truth, justice, love, and interconnectedness across different lifetimes. Deepen into something new each time I engage with it. “
4. When you’re not working, what’s something you love to do to recharge or do for self-care?
“I feel grateful to be able to recharge/connect with a supportive community, and be able to access such beautiful nature in every direction.”
Learn more about Shawn here!
Meg Heinicke, AMFT
Meg practices out of our San Francisco office. She specializes in parenting & co-parenting, depression, anxiety, family dynamics, couples counseling, children, teens & families, life changes & transitions, family building, grief & loss, interpersonal struggles and conflict resolution.
Meet Meg!
1. What originally inspired you to pursue a career in therapy or mental health?
“My father-in-law had an incredible career as a child psychologist. His work inspires me a great deal.”
2. If you could get a phrase or quote tattooed, what would it be? And Why?
"A ship in a harbor is safe, but that's not what ships are built for"
3. What’s a book, podcast, or movie that’s really stuck with you—and why?
“A book: "The 5 Types of Wealth" by Sahil Bloom. Wealth as we know it is defined by money, but in the end it will be defined by everything else.”
4. When you’re not working, what’s something you love to do to recharge or do for self-care?
“I love sharing a great meal and a glass of wine (certified wine nerd here) with friends. Interesting conversation and some boisterous laughter recharges my brain.”
Learn more about Meg here!
Meryl Breidbart, LMSW
Meryl practices out of our NYC office. She specializes in climate change anxiety, depression, self-esteem, love, dating & relationships, fertility & family building, grief & loss, trauma recovery, family dynamics, career, anger, substance abuse & addiction, children & teens
1. What originally inspired you to pursue a career in therapy or mental health?
Meet Meryl!
“I spent over a decade working on the climate crisis and saw firsthand how deeply it affects people emotionally—causing anxiety, grief, and disorientation. I was drawn to therapy to support people through these challenges. While I now work with clients on a wide range of issues, from pregnancy loss to life transitions, my work is always grounded in helping individuals navigate change—whether in the environment around them or within themselves.”
2. If you could get a phrase or quote tattooed, what would it be? And Why?
“I’m tempted to say “this is the coolest summer of the rest of our lives,” but is that too real? That really is what I live by…that said, another option is, “Always the beautiful answer who asks a more beautiful question" by E.E. Cummings.”
3. What’s a book, podcast, or movie that’s really stuck with you—and why?
“Being There by Jerzy Kosinski
This book altered taught me not to make assumptions–about anyone or anything–which is, in my opinion, an invaluable skill as a therapist and as a person.”
4. When you’re not working, what’s something you love to do to recharge or do for self-care?
“In my free time, I love wandering through Green-Wood Cemetery, soaking in the peaceful and calming atmosphere.”
Learn more about Meryl here!