Meet Sandy Cini, LCSW

IT’S TIME TO TAKE CARE OF YOU .

therapy for women in the philadelphia suburbs & across pa

After years of being the one to coordinate schedules, prioritize tasks, manage the chaos, and take care of others, this is supposed to be your time.

So why do you feel lost, uncertain, anxious and angry?

Women are strong, capable, and able to juggle a lot—but in the midst of it all, we can lose sight of who we are and what we need and want in life. I work with women who are ready to rediscover themselves and find clarity in the next chapter of their lives.

Before becoming a wife, mother, and employee, you were YOU. Now, with more wisdom, experience, and strength, it's time to explore all the layers of who you are, so you can step into the most authentic and empowered version of yourself.

HOW I WORK

Therapy is a journey and the person you choose to walk alongside you can make all the difference.

Before considering therapy, you probably explored other options like meditation, self-help books, or podcasts. Those can be useful tools, but meaningful change and transformation usually requires a more deliberate and personalized approach. Your story and goals are unique, and your therapy should reflect that. 

As your therapist, my role is to offer encouragement, be your collaborator, and celebrate your progress. But lasting change doesn’t come without effort, so I’ll also challenge you, teach you new perspectives, and help identify patterns that might be hindering your growth.

Starting therapy (or giving it another try) can feel daunting and overwhelming, especially if you're someone who typically prefers handling things on your own. I get it. Despite my education and training, and with years of experience as a therapist, I too felt nervous when I sought therapy during difficult times in my own life. That experience deepened my appreciation for the courage it takes to begin this journey and enhanced my respect for the trust and confidence clients place in me as their therapist.

Some of the best feedback I’ve received from clients over my 25 years of clinical work is that I’m real, open-minded, and down to earth. I don’t want therapy to be another place where you have to “hold it together”, “put on a brave face”, or “stay strong”.

I welcome you as you are and where you are.  

My goal is that you leave each session feeling that your time was well spent and productive. Because therapy is not a rigid formula, it may look different from week to week. If you need to process events of the past week, we’ll do it.  If we need to dive a little deeper into past experiences, we’ll go there. If you’re trying to learn a new skill, we’ll practice it. 

  • I’m trained in a variety of therapy methods, allowing me to tailor my approach to your unique goals and needs. These include:

    • Motivational Interviewing (MI) - MI is beneficial because it helps you figure out what you truly want and why it matters to you, without feeling judged or pushed.  It creates a supportive therapy environment where you can explore any doubts or fears about changing, while helping you build confidence in your ability to take action. By focusing on your strengths and goals, it can make the process of change feel more manageable and in line with your personal values, increasing your chances of lasting success.

    • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) - CBT helps you understand how your thoughts, feelings and behaviors are connected.  It teaches you to identify negative and unhelpful thoughts and replace them with positive, realistic ones. This helps improve emotional well-being and make better choices. I have seen many clients have that “Ah-Ha” moment when they recognize why they continue to repeat behavior patterns they know are not healthy for them and don’t produce the results they want.  With the practical tools that come with CBT, you can break those patterns for good.

    • Trauma-Informed Therapy - This therapy approach recognizes that trauma is common and can affect anyone, and that past experiences can influence how someone reacts in the present. It emphasizes creating a safe, supportive and empowering environment so clients can focus on understanding the effects of trauma (big and small) on their mental and physical well-being at a pace that is comfortable for them.

    • Attachment-Based Therapy - This therapy approach focuses on the relationships we have with important people in our lives, especially early on, like our parents or caregivers. The idea is that these early relationships shape how you connect with others later in life. If you didn’t feel secure or supported growing up, it can affect your relationships, emotions, and how you see yourself as an adult. The goal is to understand these patterns and create healthier, more trusting relationships with others.

    • Master of Clinical Social Work (MSW) from Temple University

    • Master of Educational Psychology (M.Ed.) from Widener University

    • Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Pennsylvania

    • Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP)

    • Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CAADC) 

    • Certified Clinical Supervisor (CCS) 

    • Extensive training in Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Attachment Therapy, Internal Family Systems, Somatic Therapy, trauma, substance use/abuse, and addiction.

BOOK FREE CONSULT

BOOK FREE CONSULT

Ready to get started?

Life happens, how you live it is up to you.