I have a Master of Arts degree in forensic psychology and have maintained a career within the criminal justice system for over two decades. In addition, I have been a Licensed Professional Counselor, in Missouri, for over eight years. I am also a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in the State of Florida. My purpose in life is to inspire, empower and support others so they can develop into, and function from, their best selves. This fueled my desire to form Stronger Than Fear, LLC, a company that offers coaching, therapy, and empowerment services, and to publish the Stronger Than Fear Empowerment Journal.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
In our first session together, we will review limits of confidentiality, start with introductions, then dive into the specific challenges you are facing. This will help me create a tailored plan for us to work through in follow-up sessions.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
As an experienced counselor, I integrate a variety of evidence-based techniques, including cognitive-behavioral therapy and mindfulness practices, to help clients overcome negative thought patterns and behaviors, and develop strength-based and solution focused outcomes. I believe in a holistic approach to mental health, addressing both the mind and body.
About Sandra Italiano
Appointments
Virtual
My treatment methods
Forensic Psychology
Forensic psychology is a specialty in professional psychology characterized by the application of clinical expertise to issues relating to the judicial and legal systems.
Positive Psychology
Positive psychology emphasizes traits, thought patterns, behaviors, and experiences that are forward-looking and can help improve the quality of a person’s day-to-day life. Focus is on internal strengths and resourcefulness, rather than on your weaknesses, failures, and shortcomings. This approach sets up a positive mindset that helps you build on your best qualities, find your strengths, improve resilience, and change your worldview to one that is more positive. Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) is a short-term goal-focused evidence-based therapeutic approach, which incorporates positive psychology principles and practices, and which helps clients change by constructing solutions rather than focusing on problems.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
CBT has been shown to be effective for a range of problems including depression, anxiety disorders, alcohol and drug use problems, relationship problems, eating disorders, and severe mental illness. CBT addresses unhealthy patterns of thinking, behavior, and coping.
Mindfulness-Based Therapy
Mindfulness-based therapies use meditation, relaxation and awareness exercises to help focus on the present moment, aiming over time to experience day to day situations and stressors in nonjudgmental and non-reactionary ways.
Narrative
Narrative therapy is client-driven and seeks to help individuals become aware of the stories they carry with them through life and how these stories can influence the way they view themselves.
