Stacy Cristo(she/they)
Licensed Mental Health Counselor, LMHC
Rhode Island•Massachusetts
Holistic counseling-Internal Family Systems (IFS)-Consultation/Supervision- Depression- Anxiety - Life transitions-
Stacy Cristo
Vetted
(she/they)
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Professional statement
Stacy Donn Cristo is a holistic psychotherapist in Providence, RI who specializes in the healing modality Internal Family Systems. Stacy enjoys working with a wide variety of people and has a history of working with students and young adults navigating earlier life transitions and inquiries and adults navigating mid- to later life transitions and inquiries. Stacy is well versed in working with people of all different types of backgrounds and identities such as professional, heterosexual, cis-gendered, queer, artist, neurodivergent, BIPOC, and born and/or raised outside of the US just to name a few. Stacy centers your identity while bringing their curiosity and interest in knowing you for you and aims to create a safe environment for further exploration around these identities and what forms you.
Clients often come to Stacy for support in healing anxiety, depression, trauma, life transitions, exploring questions of identity and purpose, and challenges related to family of origin, cultural limitations and possible roadblocks. Stacy has a gentle approach that invites clients to become interested in the messages of the body and their inner landscape with curiosity, compassion and courage.
Stacy’s goal is to provide a relaxed, comfortable space where clients can connect with their authentic Self, their true nature, and experience deep healing. She is passionate about helping clients heal painful past events and move forward to build meaningful relationships with themselves, their bodies, and their loved ones. When we heal the parts of us still carrying burdens, limiting beliefs, and trauma energies from the past we naturally step in to who we are meant to be and the natural design of our Self.
Stacy is located in the heart of the West End of Providence offering in person sessions as well as Telehealth to those residing in Rhode Island.
Work and Education
Years of Experience: 23 years
Private Practice, Holistic + Embodied Psychotherapist, 2006 - Present
Private Practice, Internal Family Systems Therapist (certified), 2019 - Present
Angell Street Psychiatry, Holistic fee-for-service Counselor, 2005 - 2006
NRI Community Mental Health Outpatient, Holistic Mental Health Counselor, 2004 - 2005
Homeless Outreach + Advocacy Project, Holistic Psychotherapist + Counselor, 2002 - 2004
Internal Family Systems Institute, Certification in IFS, 2024
Somatic Internal Family Systems: Susan McConnell, pre-requisit course: 40 hours, 2022
Internal Family Systems Institute, Level Two, 2022
Internal Family Systems Institute, Level One: 100 credit hours, 2021
Cape Cod Institute: Richard Schwartz, 15 credit hours, 2019
NICABM: Frontiers in the Treatment of Trauma, 12 credit hours, 2018
CES: Trauma Attachment & Yoga, 30 credit hours, 2017
Cape Cod Institute: Pat Ogden, 15 credit hours, 2016
NICABM: New Brain Science, 13 credit hours, 2014
Anodea Judith: Mind-Body Integration + healing the energy system, 44 credit hours, 2011
Cape Cod Institute: Pat Ogden, 15 credit hours, 2010
Cape Cod Institute: Bessel Van Der Kolk, 15 credit hours, 2009
Cape Cod Institute: Pat Ogden, 15 credit hours, 2009
Amy Weintraub: Yoga for Depression + Anxiety, Level One: 40 hours, 2007
The Institute for Existential-Psychoanalytic Therapy, One year Post Grad Intro to the Theories, 2004
Lesley University, MA, Expressive Therapies, 2002
Washington University, BFA, Printmaking, 1996
Licensure
Rhode Island: MHC00247 - Massachusetts: LMHC5570Languages
EnglishSpecialties
Holistic counseling - Healing through mind, body, and spirit
Internal Family Systems (IFS) - Increasing self-awareness by exploring the different sub-personalities or “parts” of the mind and nurturing and deepening the connection to the self
Consultation/Supervision - Offering support to therapists wanting to better understand the body in psychotherapy, the use of IFS/parts work, addressing + preventing burnout, learning more about therapist parts (transference/counter-transference) and how to make use of this in sessions.
Depression - Providing support and promoting healing of hopelessness, low motivation and energy, sadness, irritability, sleep disturbance, and loss of interest and pleasure in life
Anxiety - Coping with excessive worry, nervousness, or stress; intense discomfort in social settings (social anxiety); sudden and intense feelings of panic (panic disorder), including OCD.
Life transitions - Coping with difficult or impactful life changes, such as moving to a new area, relationship transitions, child rearing, or career changes; learning self-care to better manage resulting stress and addressing underlying issues.
General expertise
Treatment approaches
Clientele
- Adults (24+)
- Parents
- Seniors (65+)
- Young adults (18-24)
Locations & Hours
I am currently offering and have availability for IFS Intensives which are 90 minute or longer healing sessions. Please check my website for up to date information and everything you need to know.
Insurance
Stacy Cristo is not in-network with any insurances.
Read about the benefits of seeing an out-of-network provider here.
Out-of-pocket fees
- Individual sessions:$265 (75min)
- Initial session:$265 (75min)
- IFS Consultation for all therapists:$210 (60min)
- 90 minute sessions (check website) :$315 (75min)
- IFS intensives (up to date on website):$1500 (360min)
Additional session information
Payment options
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
- Debit Card
- IvyPay
Session frequency
Frequency of sessions this provider offers to see clients once you are an established client.
- Monthly
- Every other week
- Every other month
- As needed
Therapist's note
My fees are listed as cash and check payments. For credit cards there is an additional surcharge of $5 with the exception of intensives. See my website for most up to date info.
I am no longer able to offer you a Superbill because I no longer work within the 50 minute model.
Client testimonials
"Stacy was very easy to talk to and demystified the process."
- Zencare client • September 2020"I was struggling with some very difficult family issues and also experiencing burn-out from work. I felt myself needing to shift my focus to my art and to having healthy boundaries but didn’t yet have the confidence to begin that process. Every time I leave an appointment with Stacy I feel fortified and more clear. The harsh, unforgiving thoughts quiet down. Stacy listens without judgement. She gracefully guides me at a pace that feels right. Sometimes there are thoughts and feelings that are too scary to deal with alone, but Stacy acts as a mirror, and reflects a strong and wise part of me that I had trouble seeing on my own."
- Artist, teacher • June 2016"Stacy completely transformed my relationship to food, myself, and my life. She not only helped me work through and overcome my eating disorder, but has helped me to feel empowered in my life and better understand the decisions I make. She is incredibly easy to talk to and helps me understand myself better through both talk therapy as well as body work such as yoga."
- Brown University student '16 • July 2016"I began seeing Stacy while I was in college. My anxiety and academic stress was at an all time high due to a recent change in majors. I continued to see her for difficulties I had with food, family, and past relationships. After seeing other therapists and never feeling like they were the “right fit” for me, I was very relieved once I began seeing Stacy. Stacy is amazing at helping you “feel” your emotions. She helped me see my life in a different light. I always left her office feeling like I was stepping into the right direction. One thing I enjoyed was that she often gave me ideas to work on between sessions. I always felt comfortable with her and I would recommend her to anyone."
- URI alum • July 2016"I was dealing with depression that I didn’t know I had and was very sad and withdrawn. A friend encouraged me to call Stacy, because she had just started to go to her. Stacy has been a god send for me. When I walked into her office just over 3 years ago, I didn’t know the extent to which I needed help. From the first visit, I knew I was in a safe place and she made me feel that way. She has opened up my mind and my heart to seeing myself and knowing my worth and realizing how to take care of me. It has been monumental in my growth and where I am at this very moment in my life. She has been encouraging and supportive, but always holding up a mirror to me, knowing what is best for me in a non-judgmental way, always positive. She saved me from myself. I will never be more grateful for any one person in my life."
- Self-employed freelance artist • July 2016"I was at a point of emotional and spiritual crisis. Stacy helped me look unpack the issues and get enough space to take a look at what was really happening. She is skilled at connecting the emotional and physical manifestations of what is going on."
- Nonprofit administrator, yoga teacher, meditation facilitator • July 2016"I was struggling with debilitating depression primarily due to a long-term relationship ending, but also due to to past traumatic experiences, new relationship difficulties, and future-oriented where-am-i-going stress. I also was just beginning to understand how ill my body was due to all of this stress! Stacy is very compassionate, an empathic listener who will confront wisely. She is particularly skilled in body-oriented healing and used yoga and grounding exercises frequently. Lastly, her office is very comfortable - lots of natural lighting and colorful!"
- Clinical social worker • July 2016"I saw Stacy for anxiety and depression. I had left a job and was also facing many stressful family situations. Stacy uses the mind/body connection to help achieve a higher level of insight."
- Professional middle aged women • July 2016"I went to see Stacy because I felt blocked and stuck in my life. With Stacy’s help I have been able to recover with a larger sense of freedom and sovereignty than I have known before. Stacy is professional at all times, and deeply committed to her clients’ healing. She holds one’s best interest in mind at all times and participates in, and initiates a process of deep healing both through her knowledge of reading and unlocking the voice of the body, as well as through attentive listening. She skillfully provides a safe environment, and encourages risk taking in gentle respectful ways. I really appreciated how she was able at all times to wrap up a session in such a way that I left feeling ready and well grounded to meet the world."
- Middle aged person with a large variety of life experience • July 2016"I went to see Stacey because I felt unsettled in my self. I was not taking good care of myself physically or emotionally, and feeling out of control in my own life. More specifically, I was experiencing issues with co-dependency, boundaries, and loving myself in general.
Stacey is the first professional I saw who was able to help me put a name to this ‘not right’ feeling. She knows when to talk and when to listen, when to push a little more when I glance over a topic, and when to let it go. But one of the things I love most about Stacey, is how versatile she is. She is ready for anything I need whether it is to cry it out, release negative energy, work out a conversation, or celebrate my accomplishments. She acknowledges my feelings, my experiences, and my needs."
- Previous client, organized, positive, friendly, and hardworking • June 2016"I’ve been working with Stacy for a few years. My initial visits with her were due to a marriage ending, however, I have had depression for my entire life, and Stacy has helped me understand myself, and do so much healing. Stacy is both compassionate and caring while reminding me that the healing process is difficult and to take accountability for what I need to “own.”"
- Previous client, hardworking, extroverted introvert • February 2016"Very responsive and quick feedback"
- Zencare client • January 2022"Comfortable flow of conversation, she sent me some information beforehand so we could talk in more detail during the phone call. I booked an appointment with her and am looking forward to our work together!"
- Zencare client • June 2022"My Questions were answered and time to have a small discussion on what was going on. Able to connect a bit"
- Zencare client • August 2022"She was very kind and non-judgmental. I really look forward to my 1st real session."
- Zencare client • August 2022"She was ver kind and helpful."
- Zencare client • January 2023Publications
Therapy with Stacy Cristo
We interviewed Stacy Cristo and asked about their work with clients and guiding philosophies on therapy.