Carolyn Cutillo, MHC-LP

My Unlikely Path Toward Becoming A Psychotherapist In NYC

Many of us experience unexpected twists and turns as we navigate life and, eventually, find our way to happiness. I’m certainly no different. In fact, I started out as an actor, traveling to faraway places like India and Scotland to perform—and like most actors, I always needed a side hustle to survive. 

During that time, I served in many roles, both on and off the stage and screen. One of my favorites was being a teaching assistant for The Science of Happiness, a popular undergraduate course at New York University. There, I gained a true passion for the study and application of positive psychology. 

After eight years of pursuing my dream of being an actor while leading recitations for The Science of Happiness class, I recognized how I could make a lasting difference in people’s lives. One day, it dawned on me that I was actually more enthusiastic about pursuing the psychology-inclined items on my life’s to-do list than I was about the acting-related ones, and something clicked. 

So, I ended up parlaying my experience performing into a new kind of pursuit: creating and starring in video content about positive psychology. It was the perfect blend of my passions and ultimately the vehicle that ushered me into the mental health field. 

I knew I still needed to learn more, so I decided to pursue a master’s degree in counseling and educate myself as much as I could about the human brain and what brings us joy—and what makes life worth living.

What Kind Of Challenges Can I Help With?

I often work with teens and adults who are struggling with everything from personal trauma to the stress of living in a highly competitive place like NYC. However, I specialize in treating anxiety disorders and relationship problems, particularly with actors, artists, and other high-achieving creatives. I find that perfectionism and worries about the future plague so many of us.

When addressing anxiety, I primarily enjoy using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) because it really helps clients change their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, which facilitates lasting change. I love watching my clients talk to themselves differently and make more effective choices as healing takes place.

I’ve also received training in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), which is a powerful tool for treating trauma, PTSD, anxiety, and a range of other conditions. Where CBT allows us to directly restructure thoughts and behaviors, EMDR uses the brain’s natural abilities to heal painful memories. 

When it comes to repairing relationships, I draw from the Gottman Method, a highly effective treatment model for healing past wounds and solving current relational problems. This collaborative intervention helps couples cultivate empathy, resolve long-standing conflict, improve communication, and deepen their physical and emotional connection. 

Because of my background in positive psychology, I often incorporate the interventions I learned during my time with The Science of Happiness. It’s also important to focus on what's going right and bolster the positive, rather than only focusing on mitigating the negative. The core of positive psychology is about balance and nourishing the things that bring us happiness.

How Would I Describe My Counseling Philosophy?

I believe that our mental, emotional, and physical well-being is deeply rooted in mindfulness, so I am always integrating those principles into my work. Because the therapeutic relationship is so central to healing, I also strive to create a warm, empathetic space where clients can feel comfortable exploring any of life’s hurdles.

My counseling philosophy can be summarized as "change is always possible." No matter how old we are, how long we have been in pain, or how much life experience we possess, we can always take action to make our circumstances, our choices, or our mindset better. Although tough times happen to us all, we can still turn things around—especially when we have the right support and guidance. That's why I became a therapist, and I love doing what I do.

What Makes Me Unique As A Person And A Therapist?

Because of my background as an actor, I especially enjoy helping creative people navigate what can be both an extremely challenging and also an extremely fulfilling career in the arts.

I have a unique understanding of the particulars of life as an artist. Nobody has to explain to me what it's like to face countless rejections, balance a non-traditional work life, or hop from gig to gig, never quite certain of where the next paycheck will come from.

I’ve also had my fair share of odd jobs and that’s given me a perspective that really helps to inform how I serve my clients. From my experience as a babysitter and theatrical tech crew member to a bocce ball referee (not kidding!) and globe-trotting actor, I’ve worn a lot of hats. 

That combined experience makes me realize that we are all traveling our own paths filled with twists and turns. I seek to make that journey more comfortable and fulfilling for my clients as they find their way to a happier, more meaningful life.

What Is Life Like Outside Of My Work At Live Well?

Since 2020, I have served as a volunteer crisis counselor with Crisis Text Line, helping texters through some of their darkest moments. I have been a trusted member of the New York University community since I was a college student myself (go, Violets!), and I believe that higher education is super important. Aside from my past work as a teaching assistant, I am currently an administrator in Alumni Relations. Clearly, I like to keep busy!

I live in Brooklyn with my wonderful husband and our cat. I have a major sweet tooth and won 2nd place at a workplace bake-off. I love the beach, which is why I visit every year for at least a week without fail (ask me about the best seaside town in New Jersey—I also got married there!). And I still perform whenever I get the chance—in fact, I starred in a workshop of a play written by my husband this past summer (I’ve known he was talented ever since we were undergrad theater students at NYU together)!