Johanna Schwartz, LCSW
You’re used to saying "I’ve got it." But who’s got you?
Change the track & get back to yourself.
Are you stuck on a train going around in circles? You’re everyone’s first call, the steadiest support, and the one who handles it all—
but you’re the one running on empty. Your friends have heard the stories and they’ve been great, but you know you need a professional who can actually help you change the track.
Whether it’s burnout, high-functioning anxiety, or the specific weight of "Eldest Daughter Syndrome," I provide the space for you to stop managing everyone else's expectations.
If you're navigating the grief of a loss, a relationship shift, or that nagging feeling that you're somehow "behind" in life, this is where we fix the math.
I’m here to provide that soft safe spot to finally get off the train.
We’ll process the family drama, the career pivots, and the exhaustion of being the "fixer"—all with the professional grit you need and the touch of a close friend rooting you on.
You’re not behind; you’re exactly where you need to be to start. It’s okay to be the one asking for help for once.
Therapy with me is not…
The "Strong Friend" Performance: Feeling like you have to be "good at therapy" or have a perfectly curated update ready before you even sit down.
The "Behind in Life" Timeline: Entertaining that loud, intrusive inner critic that tells you you’re failing because you haven’t hit every milestone by age thirty.
Clinical Coldness: Stiff, robotic silences that make you feel like you're being studied under a microscope instead of heard by a human.
Therapy with me is…
The Unfiltered Off-Load: A high-vibe, zero-judgment space to drop the "I’ve got this" act and finally process the family group chat drama and the career pivots.
Strategic Relief: We use over a decade of clinical grit to build a real-world map for managing the exhaustion that comes with being the household CEO.
The Weekly Anchor: A grounded, conversational ritual where we celebrate the "small" wins and redefine what success actually looks like for you.
Hi, I’m Johanna. For over a decade, I’ve been the therapist for the ones who are everyone’s "strong friend"—the person who handles the crisis, coordinates the dinner, and keeps the family peace. You know the feeling of being everyone’s first call and the steadiest support, even when you’re the one running on fumes. Whether it’s the invisible weight of "Eldest Daughter Syndrome" or the burnout that comes from always over-delivering at work, I’m here to give you the one thing you rarely give yourself: the permission to stop and breathe.
Think of our sessions as that unfiltered, soul-deep vent session you’d have with a best friend, but with the actual clinical strategy you need to manage the exhaustion of being the "fixer." We aren't here to change the parts of you that show up for others; those are your strengths. We’re just here to make sure you aren't sacrificing yourself in the process. We’ll talk through the family drama, the career pivots, and that nagging feeling that you’re somehow "behind" in life. Spoiler: you aren’t—you’re just tired. I’m a firm believer that therapy is the ultimate form of self-care, but I also know that reclaiming your joy is a personal science. When I’m not in the therapy room, I’m leaning into the simple rituals that keep me grounded, like finding my flow with a new recipe in the kitchen, getting lost in a book that actually lets my brain rest, or moving my body in whatever way sparks a bit of joy.
You’ve spent enough time being the "strong one" for everyone else. It’s okay to be the one asking for help for once. If you’re ready to stop performing and start processing, let's connect. We’ll find that relief that comes when you finally stop holding everything together and realize you’re allowed to just be supported. It’s your turn to be at the top of the list.
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Adults
Women
Men
Couples
Professionals
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Anxiety
Trauma
Depression
Grief
Relationships
Life Transitions
Couples
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CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy)
Brief Strategic Therapy (BST)
Family Systems Focus
Reality Based Focus
High-Functioning Anxiety
People Pleasing & Boundaries
Burnout & Perfectionism
Grief & Loss
Boundaries & Relationships
Identity & Self-Esteem
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Online Sessions Available Across New York State. In-person availability in Brooklyn coming soon.
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Advanced Certificate in Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) - Hunter College
Masters in Social Work (MSW) - Stony Brook University
Bachelors of Art in Psychology- State University at Albany
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Licensed Clinical Social Worker
New York State #
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New York State Permanent School Social Worker
SBIRT Substance Use Intervention Training
Sibshop Facilitator
the vibe check.
We’re probably a great fit if…
You are the "Eldest Daughter" or the designated family fixer who is tired of being everyone’s 911 call and you're ready to be the one who gets supported for once.
You’re a High-Achiever struggling with that specific brand of burnout where you’re still performing at 100% at work but you’re running on absolute zero at home.
You’re navigating a Major Life Shift—a breakup, a career pivot, or the heavy fog of grief—and you need a professional who can handle the "dark humor" and the deep work.
You want a Modern, Grounded Space where you can untangle the family drama and the "fixer" fatigue without feeling like you have to "fix" your personality.
You’re ready to Stop Managing the Room and finally make your mental health the one non-negotiable ritual that keeps you from hitting a wall.
together we will work on…
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We’ll audit your role as the go-to person in every relationship, identifying where your empathy ends and your self-sacrifice begins. You’ll learn how to maintain your standards without bearing the emotional cost of being everyone's emotional dumpster.
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Boundaries aren't just "nice to have"; they’re a necessity. We’ll implement a framework to filter who gets access to your time and energy, ensuring you’re no longer the default safety net for everyone else's drama.
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If your personal life feels like one more thing on your to-do list, your systems are off. We’ll shift your focus from constant output to sustainable recovery, treating your downtime with the same discipline as your career.
How I show up for you…
My approach is built on the real-talk and clinical depth that high-capacity women actually need. We aren't here to "fix" your drive; we’re here to make sure you have the support to sustain it.
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the clinical strategy
I use a decade of experience and CBT to build a high-level plan for your life. We don’t just vent; we create the framework you need to handle the mental load without the exhaustion.
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the deep-dive relief
Using Internal Family Systems, we get to the root of the "Eldest Daughter" pressure and the burnout you’ve been carrying. This is where you stop the performance and actually process the heavy stuff.
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grounded expert
I’m a real person who isn’t intimidated by your drive or your mess. I’m the steady, professional support for the one who is usually providing it for everyone else.
You’re the first call when things go sideways and the one who always has a plan.
This is the one hour a week where you don’t have to be the person in charge.
I’m here for the eldest daughters and the "high-achievers" who are tired of carrying the mental load for everyone else.
I bring a decade of clinical grit; you just bring the truth. This is where we stop the "I’m fine" performance and actually tend to the burnout that comes with being the strong one.
Reclaiming your energy isn’t a luxury—it’s a strategy.
You’ve held everything together for everyone else for long enough. It’s time to move from burnout to balance and finally get the support you deserve.