Susan Dalessandro
“Warm, comical and dedicated” are three words to describe my therapeutic vibe. I combine theory with practical application to curate the life being asked to live through you.
I combine theory with practical application to curate the life being asked to live through you.
With experience in outpatient mental health, inpatient psych, and hospice care, my focus is on how individual therapy is a space for curiosity, personal growth, relationship, and ultimately one of the most powerful containers for transformation, expression and understanding.
First session
The first session is a chance to break the ice, and get a feel for comfortability and trust. We will introduce ourselves and discuss what therapy will look like for you. For some clients, I will share an assessment tool titled "Wheel of Life" where you will rate the areas of your life on a scale and we can dive into the conversation from there, for others we discuss "high voltage topics" and then conclude with a coping strategy or approach. It is highly likely the first session will include giggling...
Strengths
My approach is a combination of educating the mind, caring for the heart, and trusting the body’s memory. Sessions are a fusion of learning, feeling, and then implementing coping strategies for the given stressor. Oh, and I don’t like being bored, so a bit of entertainment comes with the territory as well.
Ideal clients
Clients who feel lost, are grieving, who want to understand themselves, and/or who have a strong feeling that life can be different, all will be in good company with me. My speciality is anxiety and stress reduction, with real juice in emotional regulation. Clients who are genuine in their effort for betterment, open to creativity, and are interested in laughing their way through life’s ups and downs, c’mon over.
Origin story
In an effort to avoid therapy, ironically, I became determined to master anxiety, study depression, understand relationship, and serve something greater than myself. Being a therapist is one of the most sacred roles I can be for someone and it is an honor to serve in this way.
Ongoing work together
A combination of regular assessment, practical application, and philosophical understanding; you'll know if progress is being made based on your routines, your relationships, and ultimately your inner landscape will be as supportive as it can be to cultivate a life you are eager to live.
Treatment methods
Acceptance and commitment (ACT)
Trying to change something by hating it only goes so far. ACT reminds us we are more than what we hate, and that change happens on the other side of acceptance. Mindfulness, awareness of patterns, and cultivating compassion are just a few skills involved in ACT.
Location
Virtual sessions