About The Hearth

Mission and Vision:

We often think that healing from trauma means living a life where there is no evidence that that trauma ever occurred. What if, instead of erasing all evidence of trauma, healing is building a life that is meaningful, peaceful, and fun, in the presence of that evidence? The empowerment that comes from owning your life, feeling good or even okay in your life, is absolutely within reach even if there is an occasional trigger. Even if some evidence remains. Trauma is often present for someone with a personality disorder (terrible name), but is not required for a diagnosis. Regardless of your history, you deserve attentive, compassionate care that eschews stigma and knows that you are a full person who is capable of growth and success, however you define it. That is what I aim to provide.

How I Got Here

I was drawn to the field of social work because of its understanding of how deeply our social and environmental contexts influence our mental heath - that our internal lives are impacted by our circumstances as much as our innate psychology. That people are not broken.

If mental health services are to be effective, they must account for the multitude of factors that so profoundly shape a person’s experience of life - their geography, gender, race, ethnicity, genetics, sexual orientation, financial circumstances, and so many others. While the field is wildly imperfect and often falls short of the social justice philosophy it espouses, it’s what brought me here, and it’s what guides my work every day.

I earned my Master of Social Work from Loyola University Chicago where I focused my education on intimate partner and sexual violence.

What I Do

I treat complex trauma and personality disorders using an eclectic and customizable theoretical approach.

I am certified in the treatment of personality disorders and extensively trained in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). With an ACT orientation, I integrate elements of psychodynamic, feminist, Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), and existential therapies, with infusion of Dialectical Behavior and Cognitive Behavioral skill-building.

Who I Am

Outside of work I do floral design, am learning American Sign Language, take on maybe one intensive embroidery project and then refuse to think about another one for a year, and get overly engaged with the news. My five-year-old niece is my favorite person, and my current podcast recommendation is Gladiator: Aaron Hernandez and Football Inc. (I’ve listened twice.) I have a collection of pink sneakers, don’t understand how Love Is Blind is still a thing (no judgement! I just feel like we’ve answered the question), relentlessly use em-dashes and not AI, and look forward to learning more about you.

Common Questions

  • The Hearth is sliding-scale, with fees ranging from $90-$150. Fees are negotiated and based on what a client can comfortably afford and I am able to accommodate at the time. Several factors are taken into consideration when we establish a fee, and they can be revisited if or when needed.

  • Sessions are 50 minutes and are structured based on a client’s goals and needs. Sometimes sessions are fully free-association, other times we may establish more of a format or routine. Therapy can be a challenging space, and with that in mind I am intentional in creating an atmosphere where you can let go and be yourself. I am very informal, am a direct communicator, and while the work is serious, I value humor and and a conversational approach to sessions.

  • I only provide services if I believe that what I can offer is what someone might need. I do not work with people whose goals or diagnoses are outside of my scope of practice: I would not work with someone whose goal is to recover from a substance use disorder, for example, as I am not trained in that area and therefore would not provide them with the best help. I do not work with people who do not want to receive therapy, even if that therapy is court-ordered.

    I

  • It depends! For some people, it’s easier to engage in sometimes heavy conversation in a familiar space; it can be a comfort to have your own music in the background, a favorite blanket on you, or your pet around. Telehealth is also great for people with long or hectic school/work hours, caregivers, people with chronic pain/health conditions, or people who encounter barriers to in-person services due to mobility, ability, or transportation concerns. In-person sessions may be more effective for others, such as people who tend to feel less motivated at home and more energized and focused when out of the house, people with moderate to severe ADD/ADHD or other concentration-impacting disorders, and young children. Ultimately, it is a matter of personal preference.

  • I am not in-network with private insurance. In transparency, I wrestle with that decision and am happy to discuss the differences between therapy that is and is not covered by insurance during a free consultation. My goal is not to persuade or dissuade you from pursuing a therapist that accepts your policy - you pay a lot of money for it - but to offer information on how your plan may shape your experience.

  • I am licensed in California and Idaho under the name Miriam Zucker.

    CA: 111479

    ID: 5071369