Hi, I’m Sandy Stillo
Clients often wonder about my personal history,
and it’s a fair question. To say that opening up to a stranger about the scary and embarrassing moments of your life is uncomfortable is an understatement, so I understand where this question comes from.
Like so many of my clients, I witnessed and experienced a lot of things kids should not deal with growing up. I grew up with an incredible amount of confusion, fear, and emotional pain that followed me into adulthood.
Throughout my life, not unlike my clients, I suffered with issues of low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, and more. While I was born with a certain amount of privilege, I was raised in chaos. These truths coexist. My life was not all bad, but the things that were “normal” to me as a child set me up for struggles as an adult—especially in relationships.
Though it was challenging, my childhood did leave me with a boundless compassion for the condition of being human… and today, it means that there is almost nothing you could say that I have not personally seen, heard, or experienced. There is no judgment here.
I am not only a therapist; I am also a consumer of therapy. There is no way I would be where I am today had I not done the work to heal myself, and I continue to work at it. Healing is not a one-and-done experience. It takes time to un-learn the untruths we have come to believe about ourselves and to develop healthier ways of being. Is therapy worth it? Well, I certainly think so, but more than that, I think YOU are worth it. Healthier relationships, a more satisfying career, higher self-esteem and confidence, and an overall Better Life experience is what you deserve.
Can counseling help?
First and foremost, you need to know that I 100% believe you can overcome whatever is going on in your life right now. That said, no one can promise that counseling works. What we do know is that a safe therapeutic relationship, consistent attendance, openness, and trust in the process increases the likelihood of a positive outcome.
The process begins with a brief consultation phone call (no charge) to see if we are a good fit. If we decide to move forward, the next step will be a one (1) to 1.5 hour virtual or in-person session where we will talk more in depth about your history and goals for therapy.
If I am in network with your insurance company, I will file your claims for you and your out of pocket cost will be determined by your insurance company. If I am not in network with your insurance company, I can provide a superbill that you can file with your insurance company for partial reimbursement of your out-of-network benefits.