Meet Sandy Cini, LCSW
IT’S TIME TO TAKE CARE OF YOU .
therapy for high-achieving women in the philadelphia suburbs & across pa
When you’re used to being the “responsible one” who gets it all done (despite the cost to your physical and emotional well-being), it can feel impossible to put yourself first.
Therapy with me is a place where you can set down the weight of expectations and begin caring for yourself with compassion instead of guilt.
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 self-help books, podcasts and meditation. Those can be useful tools, but meaningful change and transformation usually requires a more deliberate and personalized approach. Your life story is unique and your therapy should reflect that.
As your therapist, I’m here to encourage you, collaborate with you, and celebrate your progress. But meaningful change requires more than support alone. I’ll challenge you, offer you new perspectives, and help you recognize patterns that may be holding you back. The goal isn’t to soften your ambition or drive - it’s to help you channel them in healthier, more sustainable ways so you can thrive without losing your edge.
Starting therapy (or giving it another try) can feel daunting and overwhelming, especially if you're someone who typically handles things on your own. I get it. Despite my education and training, and with years of experience as a therapist, I too felt nervous (ok, more like terrified and ashamed) 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.
Get the support that’s right for you.
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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.
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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
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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.
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