Leadership Team

Stephen Velasquez started ZipHealthy as a small, local practice born from a simple desire – to provide his Northwest Arkansas neighbors with honest, effective mental health support. What began as a one-person practice in NWA in 2018 has grown organically through word-of-mouth and community trust. Though relatively new to the region, Stephen quickly connected with the unique balance our local families and professionals seek daily.

While his background includes formal education (MSW from USC and MBA from Cornell, where he met his colleague Daniel), Stephen is quick to point out that his real learning comes from the people he's been fortunate to help here in Northwest Arkansas since 2018. "The textbooks don't teach you about the specific challenges we face in NWA," he often says. "That comes from being part of this community and listening to people's stories."

Stephen remains actively connected to our community – running on the Razorback Greenway trails, coaching youth ice hockey at Jones Center, and proudly serving as an Operation Iraqi Freedom, Army and Air Force veteran with continued service in the Reserves. These local ties and commitment to service are the foundation of ZipHealthy's approach: a small, hometown practice that combines professional care with the personal attention that makes Northwest Arkansas special.

Stephen's journey began at the University of Southern California, where he earned his MSW. His training included hands-on experience at Methodist Hospital in Omaha, working with older adults facing mental health challenges, and at Offutt Air Force Base Hospital, where he learned to support military families through mental health services, substance abuse programs, and family advocacy.

At Eglin Air Force Base, Stephen gained practical experience that taught him the importance of meeting people where they are – whether that's in a primary care office, an emergency room during a crisis, or helping communities recover after disasters. These experiences shaped his belief that good mental health care isn't about impressive credentials, but about connecting with people when they need it most.

Over the years, Stephen has been fortunate to work with folks from all walks of life – children finding their way, teenagers navigating tough years, adults balancing life's demands, and older adults sharing their wisdom. His time with military families and veterans has given him a deep appreciation for the unique strengths and challenges of our service members, including those here in Northwest Arkansas.

Clinical Rotations & Training

• Methodist Hospital (Omaha, NE) – Specialized care for older adults and geriatric mental health
• Offutt Air Force Base, Ehrling Bergquist Hospital – Mental health clinic, Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment program, Family Advocacy
• Eglin Air Force Base – Mental Health Clinic, Substance Abuse Treatment, Family Advocacy, Primary Care Mental Health Integration
• Emergency Services – Emergency room mental health assessment and crisis intervention
• Disaster Mental Health – Response and community support during crisis situations
• Population Experience – Children, adolescents, adults, older adults, couples, families, military service members, veterans, and special operations personnel