Today we’d like to introduce you to Heather Stirnus Amanda Schubert.
Hi Heather Stirnus, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Amanda and I had our first babies around the same time. A few months into postpartum, we both realized that the adjustment was much harder than we expected—and much harder than anyone really talked about. When we began looking for therapy, we discovered that there wasn’t a single certified perinatal specialist in our area.
We wanted a safe space to receive specialized support from professionals and other moms who understood the nuances of the specific season of life we were in. We quickly realized there was a major gap in this kind of support for new moms. So, we decided to create what we wished we had: a safe haven for pregnant and postpartum moms to receive emotional and mental health support.
In the midst of our own healing—and with our newborns in tow—we made it happen. Looking back, we’re still in awe of the grit, commitment, and strength it took to build something so meaningful during that season of our lives.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
When we first opened, we were deeply committed to our niche—pregnancy and postpartum mental health. It was our training, our passion, and where we felt most confident. But soon after opening, women from other life stages began reaching out—women experiencing grief, career transitions, infertility, and other major life changes. They were drawn to our core message: that every woman deserves a safe and welcoming space for connection and support.
We realized that to truly meet the needs of the women coming to us, we needed to be flexible and adaptable. That meant growing with our business—pursuing additional training in other specialties and building a team of experts who each specialize in specific areas of women’s mental health.
We had to step out of our comfort zone, risk the safety and familiarity of what we knew, and branch out into new territory. It was a challenging time filled with growing pains—new obstacles, unexpected setbacks, and inevitable mistakes. But by staying adaptable and grounded in our mission, we’ve become a thriving practice that supports women at every stage of life.
As you know, we’re big fans of Haven Counseling Collective . For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Haven is the only women-specific therapy practice in our area with a team of specialists who focus on the unique stages of a woman’s life. We support women through all of life’s transitions—career, relationships, family planning, infertility, pregnancy, postpartum, grief, midlife, later life, and more.
We’re most proud of how our brand helps break the stigma around mental health. Therapy can often feel intimidating or like something is “wrong with you.” When society pressures women to do it all and hold it all together, seeking help can feel taboo. Even therapy offices can feel sterile or clinical, reinforcing the idea that mental health struggles mean you’re “sick” or “broken.”
At Haven, our goal is to change that narrative. Every touchpoint of our brand—from our website and social media to the feeling of our office—reflects that therapy can be part of a woman’s overall wellness lifestyle. Clients often describe Haven as “a spa meets therapy.” They tell us that when they walk in, they feel like they can finally breathe.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
We are also very proud of our integrity as a brand and practice. Through all of our growth and change, we’ve stayed grounded in our core mission and values. We don’t try to be everything to everyone—we stay true to who we are and the women we serve. That authenticity, combined with a deep commitment to our clients’ well-being, has been the key to our success.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://havencounselingcollective.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/havencounselingcollective/?hl=en
Image Credits
Kaysha Weiner
