Anne Ilardi, LAC, LAAT
THERAPIST
creative
genuine
charismatic
I wish all clients knew that there is no “right” way to go through a therapeutic journey. The amount of sharing and pace of opening up is up to you. We can pick one goal and stick with it, or pivot to something else - it is a fluid process!
i treat all general mental health needs
i work with: children, teens, adults
i specialize in: art therapy, women's issues, substance abuse
Therapeutic Style + Approach
What can clients expect during their first session with you?
During the first session, I like to provide the ‘housekeeping’ information that is important for clients to know. Then, the client can determine what happens next: sharing about themselves, sharing what brought them to therapy, participating in an art activity, or a mix of these.
Personal Touch + Personality
How would you describe yourself outside of your role as a therapist?
A lot of my qualities as a therapist overlap with my personal life - creativity, genuineness, and empathy are constant. However, I get to lean into my humorous and light-hearted nature more often.
WORKING WITH CLIENTS
How do you tailor your methods to meet the unique needs of each client?
No therapeutic style or technique is one-size-fits-all, and mental health requires a holistic approach that considers your life as a whole. There are a variety of methods I can lean on as a professional to help you attain your goals, and together we can explore them and see what you connect with the most. If there is something that could be helpful for you that I cannot do, I will do my best to connect you with a professional who can!
Therapy Philosophy
How do you define success in a therapeutic journey?
Success in the therapeutic journey happens any time a client does something to increase their quality of life. This happens in a multitude of ways: managing symptoms, staying consistent with taking medications or using healthy coping skills, setting boundaries, continuing to show up to sessions, and identifying patterns of thought or behavior. Success happens on small scales, too, and deserves recognition.
Personal Well-Being + Self-Care
How do you prioritize your own mental health and well-being?
I prioritize my own health and well-being through proactive use of healthy coping methods (affirmations are a personal favorite), setting time aside for fun and creativity, and attending my own individual therapy sessions. There is not a coping skill or activity I would recommend to a client if I haven’t tried it myself first.
Final Thoughts + Encouragement
What would you say to someone who is nervous about starting therapy?
Nervousness is a totally fair reaction to trying something new and potentially vulnerable. Just know that you don’t have to stay with any therapist (including me!) if their methods don’t suit your needs. There is a healing method for everyone out there, and it is worth it to take the time to find it!
