Cristina Spataro, LMHC

My Road To Becoming A Psychotherapist In NYC

Looking back, I feel like becoming a therapist was a natural outcome, considering I was always the one who friends and family could talk to and lean on. I have a passion for serving others and a fascination with the mysterious inner workings of the human mind, so entering the world of psychology and becoming a healer felt like a no-brainer. 

Now, it’s over twenty years later, and as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, I’ve had the honor of helping countless children, adults, and couples from diverse backgrounds transform their lives. In the past, I’ve worked with clients navigating things like stress, career issues, depression, grief, trauma/PTSD, medical conditions, and family/relationship issues. 

However, I specialize in treating anxiety and ADHD—as so many of my clients over the years have come into therapy with those challenges that it has become an integral part of my work. I love being able to provide such a broad spectrum of services to those who are in need and ready to heal, evolve, and discover a more fulfilling life. 

How Would I Describe My Counseling Philosophy?

Both my counseling and life philosophy are based on the idea that all of us are capable of changing our lives for the better. We just have to believe that it’s possible and find the right support from someone who sees us—not only for who we are—but who we could be. 

As a psychotherapist, I strive to empower people to heal and overcome obstacles to success and happiness by helping them optimize their own strengths and internal wisdom. Whatever my clients’ circumstances are, I want to act as a compass offering direction and guidance as each person draws their own roadmap to where they want to be. 

At the same time, I provide a space filled with compassion and a healthy dose of humor so that people feel safe talking about themselves and their experiences without feeling judged or pushed in a certain direction. Some of the strategies I’ve received training in include:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which helps people identify and question faulty or negative beliefs, enabling them to consciously restructure how they think, feel, and act.

• Psychodynamic Therapy Models that focus on how a person’s past experiences can influence their identity, relationships, and mental well-being years down the road.

SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Limited)goals, which involve using the insight and progress made with CBT and Psychodynamic techniques to determine the steps clients need to take in order to actualize the future they want for themselves.

What Makes My Background Unique?

For over twenty years, I have dedicated my life to helping people heal through the power of therapy. I’ve worked in hospital settings, academic environments, and the foster care system—and it’s that diverse background that has given me the knowledge and experience needed to tackle such a wide range of issues. 

Like all of our therapists at Live Well NY, I too possess a unique history that gives me a deep understanding of the challenges many of our clients face. Between my education, professional background, and personal experience, I am more than well-equipped to help my clients find balance and learn to thrive regardless of their circumstances.