Annette Sarcinelli

1998 MSW from Univ of New England; 1984 MA in Catholic Theology from Steubenville University. I incorporate Christian spirituality in my therapy approach if that is important to a client. My training is trauma-informed which helps identify significant issues or stuck points on which to focus therapy. I believe childhood experiences create negative responses and that you will respond to any similar event the same way in adulthood. Everyone has a unique story that needs to be expressed especially if the history is riddled with negativity. I ask questions to gain clarification, not judgment of your history and encourage you to let me know if my understanding of your story is inaccurate or needs correcting. Your information is kept confidential. However, there are two reasons I have to break confidentiality: 1. I am a mandated reporter of abuse meaning I have to report the abuse to CPS or APS when the perpetrator is named even if the person is deceased and 2. If you are talking about hurting yourself or someone else, I am obligated to report that without your authorization. Many mental health issues are caused by chemical imbalance, family mental health history and current environmental and family dynamics. As a therapist, I am obligated to refer my client for a medication evaluation and medication management if symptoms are moderate to severe. I believe that no one experiences life without adverse events, some more challenging than others. How you respond to these experiences determines your mental health status. I believe that the challenges encountered in these experiences can be healed. In order for healing to occur, I work with my clients to make changes in thinking, how to communicate assertively, how to manage disagreements and develop positive self-talk. With more positive outlook on life, your world and personal views change.

Essentially, therapy is an exercise in becoming more self-aware. I listen closely as I record your biological, family, psychosocial, spiritual, economic, abuse, mental & medical experiences. I look for core or root causes your mental health is being challenged. I may ask challenging questions

The focus of therapy is you and only you can make the changes needed for your healing. Healing is possible but it takes time to change old habits and build new and more healthy ones to enjoy your life. I accept your experiences, I provide new tools for you to learn to help decrease your symptoms, gain insights and awarenesses. In order to change the cycle of current behavior, it's up to the client to learn something new to get a different result. Know that you are being supported emotionally and spiritually.