Lawrence Marcucci
Have you ever wondered why you do the things you do, or think the way that you think? Or have you been feeling stuck in a feeling and want to make a change? I do my very best to create a safe space for my patients and make authentic observations about lifestyle, thinking patterns, relationship/attachment styles, and clinical symptoms so that you can understand yourself better. Sometimes starting therapy with a new clinician can be a challenging and/or intimidating process, and I try to be as realistic/pragmatic as possible. I also understand that no one is perfect, and I come from a person-centered and non-judgmental approach to therapy. I help my patients develop realistic goals for themselves and help them work towards feeling "on track" again with their lives. Professionally speaking, I operate from a Psychodynamic standpoint but I also incorporate Existential Psychology, Positive Psychology, and Humanistic Psychology. I will utilize Cognitive-Behavioral therapy when appropriate. I tend to integrate a number of evidence-based therapeutic models based on the patient's needs, and I do my very best to meet patients where they are at. Despite having a heavy clinical background, I also make a strong effort to be transparent with interventions and provide psych-education when it applies to the situation.
Professionally speaking, I operate from a Cognitive-Behavioral standpoint but I also incorporate Existential Psychology, Positive Psychology, and Humanistic Psychology.
I have significant clinical experience working with neuro-divergent individuals such as those of us on the ADHD and Autism Spectrum, Incarcerated populations, ADHD, as an ally for LGBTQ+ populations, Inpatient facilities addressing Self-Harm and Suicidal Behaviors, Drug and Alcohol Abuse, Psychosis, OCD, and Personality Disorders. I've spent years working in the context of ABA-treatment, 6 years working in the prison system (including mental health crisis), multiple outpatient settings, and have experience with a very diverse patient base.
First session
My first session(s) can be somewhat structured so that the patient does not feel that they need to "come up with something to talk about", but I try to make them less so over time and more informal. I like to check in with patients to understand their experience in therapy and understand their goals and expectations for therapy. This also includes getting a thorough background of themselves and the background of their presenting symptoms. I consider demographic information such as culture, spirituality, and other factors in a person's life that makes them unique. I am friendly and empathetic, and I do my very best to put myself in your "shoes" so to speak. During the first session, I also go over information that is important to therapy such as understanding the limits of confidentiality. I also discuss regular meeting times on either a weekly or every other week basis. I make room for questions so that I may address any concerns that arise, and I look at the first session as an opportunity to establish a collaborative relationship with my patient so that we can work as a team to address their symptoms.
Strengths
One of my biggest strengths is in creating a safe space where therapy can feel relatable. I am very good at "Theory of Mind", which enables me to envision the viewpoint of my patients. My goal is to make therapy feel very organic, and I implement interventions in a covert fashion to make it feel less "formal" and ultimately, a more comfortable and less threatening experience. I am very understanding and empathetic, and I am willing to meet people where they are at with regards to goals and expectations for themselves. I do my best to make therapy feel non-threatening but also challenging and rewarding.
Ideal clients
I work exclusively with adults. I am most familiar with issues related to ADHD and the Autism Spectrum, Psychosis, Mood Disorders (e.g. Anxiety and Depression), Substance Use, OCD, Personality disorders, and a wide-range of other issues. I am open to working with other issues as well, and sub-clinical symptoms that might be less about having a formal name for the condition and more about gaining personal insight to a person's self and inter-personal or relationship dynamics.
Treatment methods
Psychodynamic
I prefer to utilize a psychodynamic/post-Freudian approach in therapy to help patient's develop ego resilience skills, and to identify and address defense mechanisms. I help patients gain an understanding of their subconscious mind and ultimately help a person gain not only an understanding of themselves, but the skills that need to be developed to improve functioning/reduce symptoms overall.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
CBT interventions are implemented for patients who are struggling with process-oriented issues such as OCD, addiction, ruminating thoughts, ADHD, and habitual changes that a patient is wanting to make. This includes setting SMART goals and reasonable expectations for the patient to help the person feel like they are achieving success on a weekly basis.
Strength-Based
I work with patients to identify the skills that they bring to the table and help them refine these tools to continue to grow and evolve as a person. These can then be applied to areas of growth to improve functioning overall.
Positive Psychology
I help patients process and address psychological processes to work for themselves in a positive fashion. One of my goals is to help a person to be less critical of themselves, and instead have a more nurturing, forgiving, and compassionate sense of self overall.
Location
Virtual sessions