Overall Approach

You're likely here because something isn’t working—and you're ready for change. Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or simply in need of support, therapy can help you feel more grounded, confident, and connected.

Together, we’ll clarify what matters most to you and move toward the changes you want to see. My approach is collaborative and non-pathologizing, and I tailor our work to your needs using tools that resonate with you—such as EFT Tapping, somatic practices, CBT, DBT, or simply holding space for reflection and insight.

You don’t have to do this alone. Therapy can help you feel stronger, more self-aware, and more at peace—with yourself and with others.

 
 

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT is one of the most widely researched and empirically driven methods of treatment. CBT offers a structured approach to assist you to link your thoughts to your emotions and behaviors. Through this process,  CBT may help you to identify core beliefs about yourself and the world that are hindering you in several areas of your life.  CBT provides brief, solution focused interventions to help you create new beliefs and reframes for unhelpful thinking.

How do I know if CBT will help me —-> If you feel stuck in anxious or depressed thoughts, CBT gives you practical tools to gently challenge them and find steadier ground.

 
 

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) was developed by Dr. Marsha Linehan in the early 1990s to help individuals who were chronically suicidal and not responding to traditional CBT. Many of her clients were later identified as having Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), and DBT became the leading evidence-based treatment for BPD.

However, now DBT skills are modified and used for those with anxiety, depression, and trauma. DBT teaches mindfulness, emotional regulation, interpersonal effectiveness, and distress tolerance—skills that help manage intense emotions and improve relationships.

How do I know if DBT is right for me ? If you feel overwhelmed by emotions and mood swings that seem to take over before you can stop them….Relationships are often intense, confusing, difficult…Communication easily leads to confusion, conflict, and chaos, and you are craving peace and clarity!

In Dr. Linehan’s words, DBT helps people “build a life worth living.”

DBT assumption:  You are doing the best you can, and there is always room for improvement!

 
 

Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT)

EFT tapping is an evidenced-based treatment that was approved in 2017 by the U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs and Kaiser Permanente, to treat PTSD, anxiety, and depression. This technique involves a system of tapping with your fingertips on designated acupressure points.

Hundreds of studies report the efficacy of EFT to reduce cortisol levels and generate positive emotional responses. EFT can assist patients to improve focus, manage chronic pain, and a myriad of other conditions.

I continuously participate in EFT trainings in order to provide clients great results with this versatile stress-relief tool. Please view EFTuniverse.com and TheTappingSolution.com for additional information on EFT tapping.

 
 

Symbolic Imagery Sessions

Symbolic Imagery Sessions

Please see the Symbolic Imagery Sessions page under Healing Tools for a more detailed outline of this creative, depth-oriented method. I became certified in this approach (Tarotpy® by Lauren Z. Schneider, LMFT) to support clients seeking insight through a creative, intuitive process that draws on symbolism, imagery, and self-reflection.

How do I know if this method is right for me?

Symbolic Imagery Sessions may be a good fit if you:

  • Enjoy metaphors, art, depth-oriented approaches, or shadow work

  • Feel stuck in talk therapy and want a new way to access insight

  • Are curious about integrating emotional, psychological, and spiritual growth

  • Want a reflective, intuitive process without rigid interpretation

In sessions, you remain in charge of your own meaning-making. The cards don’t tell you what to do — they help you see what you already know, more clearly.

 
 

Specialized Services

 
 

Coping Skills Focused Treatment

A majority of the clients I’ve worked with over the years have been individuals navigating relationships with partners, family members, coworkers, or friends who display antagonistic or emotionally challenging personality styles.

These dynamics often leave people feeling anxious, confused, or chronically self-doubting. I also support clients of all ages who are going through major life transitions — such as career changes, health challenges, relationship shifts, or identity exploration — which can trigger heightened anxiety, depression, or emotional overwhelm.

Often, these struggles are compounded by unhelpful generational beliefs or societal pressures, such as the expectation that we must always be achieving, performing, or getting everything “right.”

Perfectionism, fear of failure, fear of rejection, and even fear of success can create a kind of internal paralysis that makes it difficult to make meaningful decisions in life, school, or work.

In our work together, we use present-focused, skill-based approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to build resilience, self-awareness, and effective coping strategies. These modalities support clients in improving emotional regulation, developing healthier communication patterns, and increasing psychological flexibility.

Themes like “people-pleasing,” imposter syndrome, or substance use often emerge, and we explore these with curiosity and compassion — not judgment. Whether you’re navigating difficult relationships or simply trying to cope with the emotional weight of change, solution-focused therapy can help you feel more empowered and supported.

Skills such as stress management, mindfulness, boundary-setting, and emotion regulation are central to feeling grounded and more in control of your life.

 
 

Narcissistic Abuse

How Do I Know if I’ve Experienced Narcissistic Abuse — and How Can Therapy Help?

I have received specialized training form Dr. Ramani and Psychotherapy Networker to better be able to serve those who have suffered from Narcissistic Abuse and Antagonistic Relational Stress and Trauma. I can offer you a no pressure, safe space to learn, process, and unpack the fall out and impact these relationships have incurred upon you, while you learn options to heal survive, and even thrive.

The term “narcissist” is often used loosely, but the impact of narcissistic abuse is real — and often deeply confusing. You might be affected even if you’re unsure how to describe what happened.

Signs you may have experienced narcissistic or emotionally manipulative abuse, from a partner, friend, co-worker, or family member include:

  • Constantly questioning yourself or feeling like you’re “going crazy”

  • Being gaslit — told your perception of reality is wrong

  • Feeling like you have to walk on eggshells to avoid conflict or punishment

  • Losing your sense of self, independence, or confidence over time

  • Experiencing shame, guilt, or confusion after trying to assert boundaries

  • Struggling with anxiety, depression, fatigue, or PTSD-like symptoms

  • Wondering if it was “bad enough” to count as abuse

How therapy can help:

  • Offer a validating, safe space to untangle what happened

  • Help you rebuild self-trust and reclaim your voice

  • Process the trauma stored in your body and nervous system

  • Restore clarity, boundaries, and emotional stability

  • Support your healing without pathologizing or over-labeling

Healing from narcissistic abuse is possible — and you don’t have to do it alone.

 
 

Chronic Pain, Health Issues, and Burnout

Living with chronic pain or ongoing health challenges can feel confusing, isolating, and overwhelming. I specialize in helping clients navigate this journey with practical tools and compassionate support.

Using CBT, DBT, and even insight oriented therapy, we explore how thoughts like catastrophizing can create a vicious cycle of fear, avoidance, and worsened symptoms. Together, we’ll identify patterns that may be keeping you stuck and develop strategies to re-engage with life.

You'll learn how to regulate your nervous system—shifting from fight-or-flight into a calmer, parasympathetic state—to help reduce pain and improve well-being.

We may also explore deeper questions: What might your pain be trying to communicate? What was happening in your life when it began? Through this process, you’ll gain clarity, build coping skills, and move forward with greater resilience and insight.

 
 

Anxiety & Depression

Anxiety & Depression Support
Anxiety and sadness are normal human emotions, but when they linger, they can become overwhelming. If you're experiencing racing thoughts, muscle tension, panic, low motivation, or hopelessness, you may be stuck in a fight/flight/freeze state. I use a tailored approach that integrates behavioral therapies (like CBT, DBT, and ACT) with somatic tools to help regulate your nervous system, shift unhelpful thought patterns, and restore a sense of calm and clarity. Therapy can help you build insight, learn practical coping skills, and reconnect with meaning and joy.

Support for Medication Tapering
Medications like antidepressants and benzodiazepines can be helpful in times of acute crisis and chronic mental health conditions and chronic life stress. However, some people face significant challenges when reducing or discontinuing them. If you and your prescriber decide to taper, I offer a supportive, nonjudgmental space to navigate the emotional and psychological aspects of that process. My focus is on helping you build coping tools, reduce fear, and feel supported every step of the way.

 
 

Bipolar
& PTSD

Bipolar Disorder & PTSD Support
Living with Bipolar Disorder or PTSD can feel overwhelming, isolating, and unpredictable — but healing is possible with the right support. If you’re navigating intense emotional highs and lows, dissociation, flashbacks, or chronic anxiety, therapy can help. I use a trauma-informed approach that integrates Internal Family Systems and somatic tools to support emotional regulation, self-understanding, and nervous system healing. CBT and DBT skills may also be woven in to help you manage daily challenges. If you need a prescriber, I can help with referrals to ensure coordinated care. You don’t have to go through it alone — support is available.

If you have come to this website and you believe you are feeling suicidal or having a mental health emergency, please know that you have options and you can call 911, 988, or the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255 (TALK).

 
 

Coaching vs Therapy

Did you know you can work with Cecily as an Emotional Freedom Technique Coach or Tarotpy Coach and not as a psychotherapy client?

Both Emotional Freedom Technique and Tarotpy are modalities that are offered for psychotherapy clients interested in these alternative treatments. However, you can work with Cecily as a coach and not as a psychotherapy client if you would like to exclusively receive these services.

There are some crucial distinctions that you must consider, however, regarding the differences between Coaching and Therapy.

PSYCHOTHERAPY:

If you work with me as a psychotherapy client, you are likely using your insurance, and I am contracted with most major insurance providers.

As a psychotherapy client using insurance, you will receive a mental health diagnosis billable code, a treatment plan, and our work together will include psychotherapy interventions. This may be the most appropriate route for you.

While EFT or Tarotpy may or may not be part of our work together in therapy, our work also frequently focuses on learning about family dynamics, navigating challenging people, relationships, unhelpful patterns, and evidence based coping strategies from Cognitive and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy. 

All work must be subject to the jurisdiction and laws governed by my license as a Marriage and Family Therapist in the State of California.

You must be physically located in the State of California to receive psychotherapy services, but if you are a coaching client, you can be located anywhere! 

COACHING:

You may also work with me as an Emotional Freedom Technique Coach or receive a Tarotpy Coaching Session. If we are exclusively working together in this fashion, you will not be receiving a mental health evaluation, diagnosis, or treatment plan.

Our coaching goals will be suited to the modality. For example, I would not be teaching you DBT interpersonal skills or providing education on Family Systems if we work together with me as your EFT Coach. You will, however, learn an excellent stress relief tool that can reduce anxiety, improve relaxation, reduce cravings, and even reduce limiting beliefs!

Please keep in mind coaching sessions would not be covered by your insurance. 

Both EFT and Tarotpy Coaching sessions will run about 60-90 minutes in order to achieve the maximum benefits of these modalities.

How do I know if Coaching or Therapy is best for me?

I offer a complimentary consultation regarding these methods to determine which route would be best suited for you on your healing journey.

The most crucial aspect is that the right modality is selected for you, and if Psychotherapy is deemed a more appropriate method for you than coaching, or vice versa, it is important for ethical purposes and your well-being that you may not “switch back and forth” between being a therapy client and a coaching client.

Big takeaways-

  • Coaching is NOT COVERED by insurance

  • Psychotherapy IS USUALLY COVERED BY insurance (I accept many major insurances)

  • You do not need to be in California for Coaching services

  • You Must be present in California for Psychotherapy services

  • For ethical reasons, you may not alternate between being a coaching client and therapy client

  • Coaching sessions will be focused on EFT Tapping and Tarotpy

  • Psychotherapy sessions require a mental health assessment, diagnosis, and treatment plan, and will involve modalities that only a licensed therapist is trained to deliver, such as education on family dynamics, personality disorders, DBT, and CBT.

Complimentary Consultation

This is an important step in your therapy journey. Our conversation can assist you to determine if we are a great fit to work together. If we determine I am not the best fit for you, I am happy to provide referrals. Your wellness is your number one priority, and I look forward to hearing from you.

Rates and Insurance

 

I am currently an insurance provider through most major insurance panels through practice management/billing organizations - Rula (Formerly Path Mental Health), and Headway. Please note I am not covered by Magellan insurance. Please reach out to me directly to inquire about options and availability: CecilyLongoMFT@Proton.Me.

Out-of-pocket rates are $200 per 50 minute appointment for individual sessions. I may offer a sliding scale based on financial need, although these spaces fill up quickly. Credit Card via Ivy Pay or Venmo accepted. All sessions are conducted via Telehealth, and HIPAA compliant Telehealth link will be provided to you before our session. Late cancel fees apply.

I look forward to hearing from you and helping you develop healthier relationships, fill your “tool box” of coping skills, and assist you to feel more empowered in your life!

Cecily Longo, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, MFC#86591