Taylor Pinto
Welcome! *Please note that at this time, I am only accepting virtual patients with daytime availability* I’m a licensed psychotherapist specializing in trauma and PTSD, as well as mood and anxiety-related concerns. I have experience working in both inpatient and outpatient settings with individuals experiencing a range of mental health concerns. My approach to therapy is down-to-earth, interactive and collaborative. I draw from different therapeutic frameworks and tailor my approach to each client based on their developmental stage, individual needs, preferences and goals. Aside from private practice, I partner with several community-based nonprofit agencies serving children, adolescents and families involved in the foster care system, as well as survivors of domestic and sexual violence.
Aside from private practice, I partner with multiple community-based nonprofit agencies serving children, adolescents, and families involved in the foster care system, as well as survivors of domestic and sexual violence.
I earned my Master of Social Work (MSW) from the University of Southern California with a clinical focus in adult mental health. I am also a doctoral candidate at the University of Pennsylvania. I am passionate about this field because it allows me to work across both micro and macro levels at the intersection of behavioral and community healthcare, policy and advocacy. I value the ability to engage in this work through psychotherapy and direct practice, while also understanding and addressing the broader systems, policies, and communities that shape lives. My own lived experience plays a significant role in how I understand and approach this work.
First session
During our first session we will review relevant policies, expectations, procedures and your rights as a patient. We will also complete a standard assessment, which gives us an opportunity to talk about your history, current circumstances, environment and goals for treatment. Having been a patient myself, I understand that starting therapy can feel daunting and it can be difficult to know where to begin. My role is not to be the expert on you or your life, but to work alongside you to better understand what is going on, identify what you want to change, and figure out what will actually be helpful. I also believe therapy should be collaborative. I welcome your feedback, questions, and perspective throughout the process and I want you to feel comfortable saying when something isn’t working. My goal is to build a working relationship where you can be honest, challenge things where needed, and feel like an active participant in the work we do together.
Strengths
I am committed to creating an inclusive space where you can openly explore your identities, experiences, strengths, and challenges without feeling judged or having to fit into a particular mold. I recognize that everyone brings different perspectives and experiences to therapy, and I believe those differences are an important part of understanding you and the work we do together.
Ideal clients
I work with individuals, families, and groups ages 9 and older across the lifespan. I genuinely enjoy working with people from a wide range of backgrounds, experiences and stages of life. I recognize that there is no single approach to therapy that works for everyone, so my work is shaped by your goals, circumstances, needs and preferences. I am happy to answer questions about my training, clinical background, or the therapeutic approaches that I use. I want you to have a clear understanding of who you’re working with and what to expect from this process.
Treatment methods
Relational
At the core of my practice is a person-centered approach, where I prioritize each individual's unique needs and experiences. While I am trained in and utilize a variety of well-established therapies (those of the cognitive-behavioral, psychodynamic, trauma-focused and family-based varieties with some listed below), I believe that no single approach is superior to another as each has its own strengths and limitations. I firmly believe that the therapeutic relationship we develop is the most powerful tool of all.
Acceptance and commitment (ACT)
ACT is a therapeutic approach designed to help promote psychological flexibility through use of acceptance and mindfulness based strategies.
Trauma Informed Care
I am trained in and practice a variety of trauma-based interventions including Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), and Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART; similar to EMDR). Many of these interventions can be adapted virtually.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I use both CBT and DBT to examine the relationships between our thoughts, feelings and behaviors and promote distress tolerance through mindfulness and interpersonal effectiveness.
Psychodynamic
Psychodynamic therapy is used to uncover and address the root causes of psychological distress through self-reflection, self-examination and use of the therapeutic relationship.
Location
Virtual sessions