Dorothy Drew Stenehjem,LICSW
Couples Therapist
Every relationship is a journey of growth, connection, and understanding.
I help couples slow down, reconnect, and move beyond old patterns into a more honest, grounded, and deeply connected space.
As a Certified Imago Relationship Therapist, I support partners in developing deep listening skills, relational insight, and practical tools, so both people feel truly seen and heard.
My clinical background includes psychiatric care at McLean Hospital, a Harvard Medical School–affiliated teaching hospital, and spiritual care counseling at the Betty Ford Center. I hold a Master of Social Work from the University of Southern California’s Dworak-Peck School of Social Work and a Bachelor’s in Communication from Mills College.
Clients describe me as grounded and approachable. I offer a supportive space for couples navigating stress, emotional distance, or major life transitions.
If you're ready to make meaningful change in your relationship, I’d love to work with you.
Virtual sessions available throughout California and Massachusetts.
“In short, the greatest gift of relationship proves to be that as the result of encountering each other, we are obliged to grow larger than we had planned.”
― James Hollis
"Transforming Sound into Soul: My Journey from Sound Editor to Therapist"
In 2010, my life took a meaningful turn when I became a hospice volunteer. After working for 25 years in television and film as an emmy-nominated sound editor and co-running a post-production company with my husband, I felt a quiet, persistent longing for deeper purpose. That first hospice training opened my heart to life’s most essential questions and sparked my desire to serve others.
This calling led me to volunteer at Metropaolitan State Hospital in Los Angeles, where I met individuals often overlooked by society. Each encounter revealed their inherent dignity and worth. Moved by the experience, I left the film industry at age 49 to pursue a Master’s in Social Work, a leap into a new chapter with a clear sense of purpose. The journey transformed my worldview and strengthened my belief in the power of meaningful change.
Now, I split my time between Palm Springs, CA, and Cape Cod, MA. My husband and I live with our two cats, Eames and Eliot, named after designer Charles Eames and poet T.S. Eliot. My son works in fashion design in Los Angeles.
Outside of work, I enjoy reading, watching films, collecting mid-century furniture, and spending time in nature, either exploring painterly desert canyons or soaking in the beauty of Cape Cod.
Are you ready to make your relationship the best it can be? If so, I’d love to connect.
credentials
Diplomas:
Master's Degree in Social Work, 2013
University of Southern California
Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work
Los Angeles, California
Bachelor's Degree in Communication, 1983
Mills College
Oakland, California
Licenses
Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW)
Massachusetts
License No. 119594
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
California
License No. 93948
Certifications:
Certified Imago Therapist
Affiliations:
Member Imago Relationships International
Member National Association of Social Workers
Member Academy of the Television Arts and Sciences