Donna Cavalluzzi Psychotherapy, LCSW

Since I was a young child, I have been sensitive to the suffering of others and noticed that I was more of a listener rather than a talker. As I grew older, I became interested in how people behave and why they think the way they do, and I felt my intuitive observation of others was natural and second nature to me. Coming from a lower middle-class Italian family, I was the first to go to college and decided I should find a career where I could use my skills of compassion to help people. I began my social work career working with homeless youth. Then, I worked within a broader hospital setting, which allowed me to work with people from all walks of life. My advanced certification in psychoanalytic psychodynamic psychotherapy then led me to a career in private practice where I fit best in helping others. I could not have done all this without the knowledge I gained through working with those from all walks of life, in various settings, and from all cultural backgrounds.

My treatment approach is based on your individual needs, concentrating in psychodynamic and relational psychotherapy. However, going beyond technique and theory is what makes therapy work — it’s the realm of the trusting relationship, the ongoing human-to-human connection that provides the foundation for change. Change can be difficult, whether positive or negative, and therapy invites you to sit with your emotions and tackle the obstacles that may be hindering your growth. I use an integrative approach to understand your life experiences and how they are affecting your present functioning. Without a therapeutic relationship, there is no therapy. I combine empathy with humor to help you feel comfortable and I bring a humanistic approach into the session.

Continued learning by reading and continued education are parts of my ethical responsibility of helping people by keeping up with what's happening in the field. Having my own clinical supervisor and supervision group helps me grow, discuss how to help my clients more effectively, and share my perspectives. It allows me to be part of a larger community and to share ideas and techniques that will help my clients progress in their treatment.