Leonardo Custidiano , LMHC

Leonardo Custidiano, LMHC (Licensed Mental Health Counselor), brings a practical, adaptable approach to counseling grounded in hands-on experience across multiple care settings. He has worked in a residential program that provided housing for adults coping with mental illness and addiction, and he has supported parents and teenagers facing behavioral challenges.

Currently he provides family counseling and prevention services for families involved with the Department of Children & Families, working directly with issues such as domestic violence, trauma and abuse, parenting challenges, life transitions, addictions, and coping with mental illness. That varied background has given him an understanding of both crisis-driven needs and longer term family dynamics.

Leonardo uses an eclectic, integrative model that adapts to each person or family. He may apply cognitive behavioral techniques when symptom relief is needed right away, and he can draw on psychodynamic principles to explore deeper patterns that influence present difficulties. Across his work he emphasizes the therapeutic relationship, attention to the here and now while acknowledging relevant personal history, and collaborative goal setting to guide meaningful progress.

Therapeutic Approaches and Remote Care

Leonardo frequently uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and psychodynamic principles in his work. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on recognizing and changing unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors to reduce symptoms and improve daily functioning, often used for anxiety, depression, and stress. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) teaches practical skills for managing intense emotions, improving interpersonal effectiveness, and tolerating distress, which can be helpful for impulsivity and self-harm risks. Psychodynamic therapy explores how past experiences and relationship patterns influence current feelings and choices, offering a way to address longer standing issues at their roots.

Finding the right approach is part of the work itself. Leonardo collaborates with each person to identify which methods fit their needs, goals, and preferences, adjusting strategies as progress unfolds so treatment remains responsive and focused.

Online sessions make it easier to access consistent care through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging. These options add flexibility for scheduling, reduce travel time, and allow people to engage in therapy from settings that suit their routines. Licensed professionals and therapists can adapt these formats to provide structured, goal-oriented support while accommodating different communication styles and life demands.