Associate marriage and family therapist #154157
stephanie hurtado, amft
Specializes in EMDR, trauma, anxiety, life changes, relationship issues, parenting, women’s issues, parts work, somatic processing, and narrative therapy.
Approach
I’m so glad you’re here. I believe our relationships shape how we experience the world — and that our relationship with ourselves sets the tone for everything else. Many of the women I work with find themselves caught in cycles of self-doubt, people-pleasing, or perfectionism, often feeling the weight of trying to hold everything together. My goal is to help you slow down, reconnect with your inner world, and begin to feel more at home in yourself.
My approach is grounded in parts work (IFS-informed), narrative therapy, and somatic, trauma-informed practices. I see healing as both an emotional and embodied process — because understanding what happened doesn’t always mean we feel better. Through gentle exploration, we’ll notice what your body has been carrying, make space for long-held emotions, and rebuild a sense of safety, clarity, and connection from within.
Before becoming a therapist, I worked closely with diverse families and communities in education and social services, experiences that taught me the power of presence, cultural humility, and human resilience. I also supported high-performing professionals and mentors in startups, venture capital, and leadership roles, helping them navigate communication and relational dynamics — experiences that shaped my understanding that money, business, and success are deeply relational, rooted in trust, courage, and connection. As a parent myself, I understand the complexities of balancing care for others while staying connected to your own needs and identity — a perspective that deeply informs how I support my clients in navigating life’s many roles and transitions.
Whether you’re exploring your identity, healing from past trauma and/or difficult life experiences, or learning to trust yourself again, therapy can be a space to reconnect with your most authentic, centered self.
Stephanie Hurtado is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT) completing her post-graduate clinical hours toward independent licensure under the supervision of Dr. Kelly Vincent, Psy.D. (PSY30672).
Education
Bachelor of Science - Business Accounting, University of Nevada Las Vegas
Master of Art - Marriage and Family Therapy, Touro University
Specialized Training
EMDR Institute, Inc. — EMDR Basic Training (September 2024–May 2025)
Trauma Recovery Yoga — Certified 30-Hour Trauma Yoga Teacher, May 2019
Yoga Alliance — Certified 200-Hour Registered Yoga Teacher, September 2018
Get to know our therapists
A Little More About Stephanie Hurtado
1. What inspired you to become a therapist?
I have always loved connecting with people and been really aware of the emotions of others. Learning to balance this while supporting my own needs in my journey through motherhood was a huge part in my inspiration to continue in this work. I went from having no kids to three in what felt like the blink of an eye through blending my family. I became a mother to a baby and two teenage girls at the same time. I had to learn and grow in my capacity to support my family and also in how I supported myself. Learning somatic and bottom-up approaches taught me that healing isn’t just in how we think, it’s in how we feel.
2. What song instantly puts you in a good mood?
Anything holiday or season themed. We love a playlist - summer surfing songs, Halloween, or a loud music car ride on the way to school drop off.
3. Coffee order or favorite treat?
Latte with real cream always. And chips and salsa are my joy food.
4. What’s a small joy you look forward to every day?
Coffee at home after school drop off. I get a few minutes to talk with my husband and connect and I obsessively love on my Giant Schnauzer dog.
5. What’s one thing that always makes you laugh?
The many personalities of my giant dog. He is a vibe. And listening to teenagers chat when I’m carpooling them around.
6. What’s your current guilty pleasure (or not-so-guilty)?
Never guilty, life is meant to be enjoyed and if we don’t own our pleasure, what is the point even? I love a good day date that includes time to connect and food always. I also listen to reality tv whenever I fold clothes - I’m not sure why, it just feels right.
7. What do you do to regulate your nervous system?
Validate myself. I’m allowed to have hard days, I’m allowed to have joyful ones, and everything in between. I also easily lean into my logic side, so whenever I need to regulate, I will usually feel it in my body before I recognize it in my mind. Walking on beach, a hot yoga class and even just sitting in the discomfort, are all tools for me to ground back into myself.
