About Your Clinician
Judith Liu
LCSW · C-AAIS · BCD
"For more than a decade, I have combined professional mental health care with extensive experience working directly with animals — helping clients navigate grief, anxiety, fear, and life transitions."
Founder of Steady Compass Counseling Services · Offering virtual sessions and in-person appointments in Nyack, NY and Stamford, CT.
About Judith
A clinician who brings the whole picture
Judith Liu is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and the founder of Steady Compass Counseling Services. Since earning her Master's degree in Social Work from New York University in 2003, she has built a practice that bridges traditional mental health care with the healing potential of the human–animal bond.
Her specialized training in Pet Loss Counseling through the Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement gives her the tools to guide clients through one of life's most difficult forms of grief — with both compassion and clinical insight. As a Certified Animal-Assisted Intervention Specialist (C-AAIS) through the American Association of Animal Intervention Professionals, she ensures that animals are incorporated into sessions ethically, intentionally, and purposefully.
Judith holds an Animal Behavior and Conservation certification from Hunter College, which deepens her understanding of animal behavior and supports safe therapeutic interactions. Her training in Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy through the EAGALA and Natural Lifemanship models has provided her the opportunity to work alongside equine specialists in creating experiential sessions that promote trust, emotional growth, and healing.
She is also a Registered Therapy Animal Evaluator and Handler with Pet Partners — enabling her to prepare other therapy teams to safely share the healing power of the human–animal bond.
Her background includes over ten years of hands-on experience across a wide range of animal settings: volunteering with rescues, fostering animals in need, working extensively with horses, and providing animal-assisted therapy on a farm. She has worked with children in therapeutic facilities, where she has seen firsthand how animals can help break down barriers and foster connection.
Whether the goal is to process grief, overcome fear, strengthen coping skills, or experience the comfort of working with animals in a therapeutic setting, Judith provides a safe and compassionate space that honors each person's unique journey.
Training & Certifications
Specialized expertise, clinically grounded
Animal Behavior & Conservation
Certified training in animal behavior and conservation, deepening understanding of animal responses to support safe and effective therapeutic interactions.
Hunter College
Pet Loss & Bereavement Counseling
Specialized training to guide clients through the complex grief of pet loss — with clinical insight and deep empathy for the human–animal bond.
Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement
Animal-Assisted Intervention
Certified specialist in incorporating animals into therapy ethically and purposefully, ensuring every session meets rigorous clinical and welfare standards.
American Association of Animal Intervention Professionals
Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy
Trained in equine-assisted models that promote trust, emotional growth, and healing — working alongside equine specialists in experiential sessions.
EAGALA & Natural Lifemanship
Registered Therapy Animal Evaluator & Handler
Registered evaluator and handler who prepares therapy animal teams to safely and effectively share the healing power of the human–animal bond.
Pet Partners
10+ Years Hands-On Animal Experience
Over a decade working directly with animals across rescues, foster care, equine settings, therapeutic farms, and clinical facilities with children and youth.
Across diverse therapeutic settings
Affiliations & Certifications
Ready to Connect?
Let's talk about
what support looks like for you
Virtual sessions available. In-person appointments at our Nyack, NY and Stamford, CT locations.