Elizabeth Santilli
Hi, I'm Beth! I'm a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 16 years of experience. I consider myself approachable, open-minded, and genuinely curious about people's experiences. I believe therapy should be a space where you can be yourself, feel comfortable being honest, and explore things without fear of judgment.
Supportive when you need it. Challenging when it helps. Practical when you're ready to move forward.
My approach is collaborative, compassionate, and grounded in the belief that meaningful change starts with better understanding ourselves.
First session
Your first session is an opportunity for us to get to know each other and begin understanding what brings you to therapy. We'll talk about what's been going on, what you're hoping to get out of therapy, and what feels most important to you right now. You don't need to prepare anything or have all the answers. My goal is for you to leave feeling heard, comfortable, and with a better sense of how we might work together.
Strengths
I take a holistic approach to therapy, recognizing that our thoughts, experiences, relationships, and environments all shape how we navigate life. I bring warmth and empathy to sessions, but I'm also comfortable asking challenging questions and helping people look at things from a different perspective. I want our conversations to go beyond simply talking about what's wrong. My goal is to help you better understand yourself, recognize patterns, explore new possibilities, and make changes that feel meaningful and sustainable.
Ideal clients
I enjoy working with adults who are navigating life's challenges, feeling stuck in familiar patterns, or looking for a better understanding of themselves. You don't need to have everything figured out to start therapy. You might be working through anxiety, relationship difficulties, past experiences, life transitions, or simply feeling disconnected from yourself. I appreciate working with people who are open to self-reflection, exploring new perspectives, and making meaningful changes.
Ongoing work together
Our work together will be collaborative and will evolve as your needs and goals change. We'll explore patterns, challenge unhelpful ways of thinking, consider how past experiences influence the present, and identify practical ways to approach things differently. Progress isn't always linear, and it doesn't necessarily mean life becomes easier overnight. It may look like responding differently to difficult situations, feeling more confident in your decisions, building healthier relationships, or developing a better understanding of yourself. We'll regularly check in on what's working and where you'd like to focus next.
Treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I use cognitive behavioral techniques to help clients recognize the connections between their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Together, we explore patterns of thinking that may be contributing to distress, consider alternative perspectives, and identify practical ways to respond to challenging situations. I encourage clients to become curious about their thought patterns and develop tools they can apply in their everyday lives.
Person-centered (Rogerian)
I believe the therapeutic relationship is an important part of meaningful change. I strive to create a welcoming, nonjudgmental space where clients feel comfortable being open and authentic. I approach each person with empathy, respect, and curiosity, recognizing that everyone brings their own experiences, strengths, and perspectives. Rather than assuming I have the answers, I work collaboratively with clients to help them develop greater self-awareness, confidence, and direction.
Solution-Focused Brief Treatment
I use solution-focused techniques to help clients identify what they want to be different and recognize the strengths and resources they already have to move toward those goals. Rather than focusing exclusively on problems, we explore what's working, what's possible, and what small steps might create meaningful change. I help clients build on existing successes and identify realistic, practical ways to move forward.
Narrative
Narrative therapy allows us to explore the stories we tell ourselves about who we are and how our experiences have shaped us. I help clients examine how past experiences, relationships, and outside influences may have shaped their beliefs about themselves. Together, we can begin to separate a person's identity from the challenges they're facing, recognize strengths that may have been overlooked, and consider new ways of understanding their experiences.
Identifies as
Top specialties
Other specialties
Serves
Doesn't specialize in
Licensed in
- New YorkLicense 084144