About Me
Pain Reprocessing Therapy | Somatic Therapy
Sean Hershey, LCSW (he, him)
Licensed Psychotherapist in New York City
I’m a human, with a brain and a nervous system. Just like you.
That means I’m susceptible to chronic pain. Just like you.
We each have our chronic pain origin stories.
I’ll tell you a summary of mine.
I grew up in an Irish Catholic community in St. Paul, Minnesota. I spent my childhood gay and closeted and alone in the Catholic Church. To get through my childhood, I had to hide. I hid myself from others, and I hid myself from myself. And not just my sexuality. To escape judgment, I felt I had to hide so much.
This, of course, impacted my body.
But I wouldn’t make that connection until much later. I simply believed I suffered from a multitude of physical problems.
Over the years, I’ve had a childhood of chronic headaches, years of chronic back pain, decades of chronic hip pain, severe (like severe) chronic irritable bowel syndrome… I’ve had a lot of issues.
I know you get it, because you have your story too. We both know this path.
And, through this work, I personally know the profound healing power mindbody methods can deliver.
I understand mindbody modalities as both a patient and as a practitioner.
With 12 years of clinical experience, I'm a solidly-grounded therapist—with an advanced proficiency in many therapeutic modalities.
I’m trained in psychodynamic therapy, trauma-informed therapy, attachment-based therapy, emdr, motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral therapy, emotional awareness and expression therapy, and pain reprocessing therapy.
I’ve also worked under the expert guidance and supervision of Christina Sarno Horner, LMHC.
My training makes me a good therapist.
But my humanity makes me a great therapist.
I, like you, have a mind and a body. I have emotions.
This work teaches me: my emotions don’t scare me. Your emotions don't scare me either.
Bring them on. It’s therapy.
In our work together, I’m going to gently challenge you—and we’re going to go deep.
Together, human-to-human, we can attune to your true self—the person your body really is. Your symptoms are coming from your emotional and psychological life. Let’s get to know what’s happening for you.
Mindbody medicine works for chronic pain. And for chronic symptoms.
I know it from professional experience, and I know it from personal experience.
And, if you’re open, if you give yourself over to this process… I feel confident this will help you too.
Your Identities Matter
We all bring our identities into therapy.
In order for us to have an authentic connection, it's important for us to acknowledge our intersectional identities. In my career, I've worked with clients across the wide spectrum of races, cultures, ethnicities, immigration statuses, sexualities, gender identities, relational styles, and religious beliefs.
I make space for conversations about power and privilege. I value conversations about you. The whole of you—including your unique background and identities.
All are welcome.