Taylor Pecchenino

The first question I often get asked is, “What is therapy like and does it work?” Let me tell you a little bit about what it is like to work with me. Quite honestly, the funny thing about my work is that my goal is to work myself out of a job! I know confidently, that when someone is ready and provided the right environment - therapy works. My goal is to provide a safe space for you to process, reflect, learn, grow, and heal. My hope for each of my clients is that they will jump all in with me, do the hard work, and get on with living a meaningful and vibrant life. “How do we get there?” You are a unique individual with unique needs and goals. Therefore, our time will be unique to you! However, let me give you an idea of what the process might look like. With all my clients, we start by completing an initial assessment and then we will meet regularly, for 50-minute sessions, so that we can build good momentum and truly start to see change occur. Rather than trying to “bandaid” the situation, we will work to get to the root of the issue. We will look holistically at you or your child’s life and identify the areas that need attention. I am a strong believer that our mental health is impacted not only by our innermost thoughts, feelings, and experiences, but also by our careers, relationships, spirituality, physical health, and nutrition.  Right off the bat, we will identify areas we can simplify or adjust for more immediate relief, and then get into the inner work of addressing the thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that may be increasing distress or keeping you stuck. We will often utilize mindfulness and values driven exercises, along with other evidenced-based interventions (rooted mainly in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)) to tune in, get intentional, and learn skills that will create lasting, sustainable change and help you navigate future seasons of life. My hope is that when you leave our work together, you will walk confidently in the life you were designed to live. “What will it be like?” Every session, you will be met with the authentic me because I want you to bring the authentic you. Change can only happen when you feel safe enough to be fully seen and known. You can expect there to be moments of laughter and fun (humor is important to me) but also moments of difficulty and discomfort. Rather than trying to avoid discomfort (something we are all familiar with), we will safely lean in and learn to relate and respond differently to the inevitable challenges of life. As John Maxwell said, “if we’re growing we’re going to be out of our comfort zone.” "What are your specialties/areas of interest?" I specialize in working with those struggling with anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, stress, loneliness, and challenging life changes. I have a passion for working with women, college-aged students, and teens. As a follower of Jesus Christ, I also love to support clients with a shared faith background by integrating the use of biblical counseling practices into our work together, when appropriate and beneficial. For those who do not share the same faith background, I enthusiastically welcome you into my practice. "What is your academic history and experience?" I have both B.S. and M.S. in Psychology from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, with a minor in Child Development. I have worked at several different agencies and have wide range of experience working with diverse clients and presenting concerns. I also have extensive experience working with young clients (ages 10-21) and their families in both the school and outpatient treatment program settings. In addition to my licensure as a Marriage and Family therapist, I have also attended and received certifications for Domestic Violence Crisis counseling, health coaching through the Institute of Integrative Nutrition, and I most recently became a Certified Revelation Wellness fitness instructor. While I am currently strictly practicing as a licensed therapist, I love being able integrate this learning into my work with my clients when applicable. "Do you accept insurance?" My hope is to make therapy as accessible as possible, while continuing to protect the quality of care I provide. I currently accept Anthem, Aetna and Optum (which includes Oxford, Oscar, & United Healthcare). For those who would like to utilize their out-of-network benefits from another insurance company, I will provide a monthly superbill to submit for reimbursement. “So, how do I get started?” The key to a successful therapeutic experience is finding the right fit. Please contact me to schedule your initial session and set up a free 15-minute phone consultation. Whether or not we end up working together, I commend you for taking this first step towards finding support. Asking for help is difficult and change can be even harder, but I promise you it’s worth it.