Today we’d like to introduce you to Claire Sanguedolce
Hi Claire, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I’ve been fascinated by mental health for as long as I can remember. Growing up, I was always hungry to learn more about how brains work, the impact of various experiences and environments on a person’s wellbeing, and the link between the mind and the body. My personal yoga practice, which began over a decade ago, provided me with a safe space to start exploring some of these questions. Becoming a yoga teacher granted me my first real opportunity to hold this space for others–to encourage and nurture the same curiosity, self-compassion, and courage that I’d found on my own mat. These experiences, combined with personal mental health challenges and recoveries throughout the years, inspired me to pursue social work and, specifically, psychotherapy as a career. Today, I feel extremely fortunate to engage in work that feels endlessly interesting, energizing, and healing–to both myself and my community. In particular, supporting clients experiencing anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress, or difficult life transitions brings me a great sense of fulfillment. I love working collaboratively with folks to bring about positive change and self-efficacy, often in the form of greater flexibility, pride, or strength.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
My path was not smooth–it was somewhat long and winding. Psychotherapy is actually my second career; I studied journalism in college, and discovered in the years that followed (through much trial and error!) that mental health was what really mattered to me. Looking back, I feel that all of my experiences, even (and sometimes, especially) the painful or difficult ones, helped me learn more about my own personal and professional values, eventually leading me to where I am now.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
I’m an integrative psychotherapist and licensed clinical social worker, yoga student and teacher, and life-long mental health advocate. In my work with clients, I use various evidence-based, trauma-informed, strengths-based, and social justice-oriented approaches, including Trauma-Focused Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (TF-ACT) and Exposure Response Prevention (ERP). My practice is explicitly LGBTQIA+-affirming, anti-racist, neuro-affirming, body-inclusive, sex-positive, poly- and kink-friendly, and dedicated to cultural humility and ongoing learning.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
There are many! But here are a few that immediately come to mind:
Maggie Perry is a mentor of mine and fellow psychotherapist specializing in OCD, anxiety, and mood disorders. She has authored many blogs and podcast episodes that I draw upon in my own work.
Russ Harris is a beloved ACT trainer. I have read his books and taken his trainings to assist in my own use of the modality.
Sally Winston and Martin Seif both wrote excellent books on anxiety and OCD that I use and recommend to clients and therapists alike.
Kristen Neff is a self-compassion researcher with helpful information about self-compassion, including common myths, exercises, and practical uses.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.csanguedolce.care/
