Locations Rhode Island Therapists Stacy Donn Cristo

Stacy Donn Cristo

Licensed Mental Health Counselor, LMHC

Rhode Island Waitlist Online

Providence Not Accepting In-person

Updated March 30, 2021

Specialties & Expertise

Holistic counseling
College & graduate student mental health
Mid-life existential, relationship, and career challenges
Artists' mental health
Career transitions and direction
Family issues
Sexual identity
Relationships

Feminist psychology
Internal Family Systems (IFS)
ADHD
Adjustment
Codependency
Communication
Parenting

Professional statement

Stacy Donn Cristo is a holistic psychotherapist in Providence, RI who specializes in working with students, young adults, adults navigating early to midlife transitions and inquiries, artists, entrepreneurs and the highly sensitive person.

Clients often come to Stacy’s office for support with anxiety, depression, trauma, life transitions, exploring questions of identity and purpose, and challenges related to family of origin, cultural limitations and possible roadblocks. Stacy encourages clients to bring the body into therapy by incorporating grounding exercises, gentle yoga, reconnecting with the breath, building somatic awareness and the Internal Family Systems approach.

Stacy enjoys working with college students who are struggling to balance academic expectations with developing healthy self-care routines, finding their authentic voice and confidence with identity. As an artist, she also has deep expertise in working with creative professionals, as well as adults in early to midlife facing questions about what comes next in relationships, careers, purpose and identity.

Stacy’s goal is to provide a relaxed, comfortable space where clients can connect with their authentic selves and true nature and 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.

Message to clients

As a holistic psychotherapist, I am most interested in embodiment. Our body is a fascinating landscape filled with information, wisdom, and truth that offers liberation from suffering. When we build a relationship with the inner landscape and knowing of our body we build a profound relationship with our Self. I want to hold space for care and trust and curiosity to emerge. If you are interested in personal growth or deep healing, whether it is inner inquiry arising, unresolved trauma, or phase-of-life challenges, together we work to find meaning, purpose, and reconciliation with a practice of mindful curiosity, compassion and the wisdom of your body.

I love working with Adults as we have agency! Young adulthood is a difficult yet fertile time within our lifespan; we have limited perspective and experience, yet there is so much to work with and so much ahead of us! Entering therapy at this stage allows us to build a strong foundation for the life ahead! In mid to later adulthood we have an amazing opportunity to get to know ourselves more fully and build from a foundation already set gaining clarity, meaning and purpose designed for the unique person that we are growing into!

At no matter what stage of our lives we find ourself in, growth can be very challenging and painful and we don't always recognize this pain as the signal to grow. And yet, it is!

Specialties

Holistic counseling - Healing through mind, body, and spirit

College & graduate student mental health - Specialized strategies for common issues of young adulthood, including school and career stressors, support around healthy relationships, existential concerns, drug or alcohol issues, eating disorders, and anxiety and/or depression

Mid-life existential, relationship, and career challenges - Navigating the challenges of mid-life

Artists' mental health - Understanding of highly creative minds; goal setting related to the artistic and creative process; support finding meaningful balance in one’s life

Career transitions and direction - Support around personal and professional growth; clarifying goals and steps to building a fulfilling career and meaningful work-life balance

Family issues - Moving from codependency to interdependency; emotional, physical, or substance abuse; not feeling respected, contemplating family of origin issues

Sexual identity - Questioning gender and sexuality; non-binary identification, transgender identification, queer identity, sexuality and power

Relationships - Feeling unsatisfied in your partnership; communication challenges; addressing issues of power and voice; contemplation of separation; questioning one’s place in the relationship; breakups, friendships, dating

Feminist psychology - Feminist psychology listens to and privileges the voices and experiences of those who have been defined as "other" by dominant cultures; shifts the value of knowledge claims from those of culturally appointed experts to the expertise of the oppressed

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

ADHD - Skill-building and support around organizational challenges, distracted attention, procrastination; building and maintaining healthy routines and structure; specializing in ADHD treatment for women

Adjustment - Support around adapting to new and/or challenging life circumstances; skill-building for improved stress management and reduction of anxiety

Codependency - Development of healthy boundaries in relationships; strategies for increasing individual self-esteem and autonomy; coping mechanisms for separation and individuation

Communication - Developing effective interpersonal skills in relationships with partners, families, and co-workers; using healthy methods of communication to convey needs and respond to others

Parenting - Helping parents develop and implement strategies to address challenges that arise throughout childrearing; managing stress and increasing support

General expertise

Treatment approaches

Feminist Psychology

Clientele

Adults (24+)
Parents
Seniors (65+)

Teenagers (13-18)
Young adults (18-24)

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

Ongoing sessions: $165 (50min)
Initial session: $165 (50min)
Couples sessions: $245 (75min)
Family sessions: $245 (75min)
Consultation: $165 (50min)
75 minute sessions: $245 (75min)

Additional session information

Out-of-network billing options

This provider can support you in getting reimbursement from your insurance company if you are seeking out-of-network reimbursement. Here are the out-of-network billing options they provide:

Super billing

Payment options

Cash
Check
Credit Card
Debit Card

Session frequency

Frequency of sessions this provider offers to see clients once you are an established client.

Weekly
Monthly
Every other week
Every other month
Multiple times a week
As needed

Therapist's note

**Please Note: My Sliding Scale is available for those clients who are able to make a twice per month or more commitment to therapy. You can see my fee structure here.

My fees are listed as cash and check payments. For credit cards there is an additional surcharge of $4-10.

I am able to offer you a Superbill if you have out-of-network benefits. Please note that high deductible plans may not be worth submission. Best to ask your Insurance company.

Location(s)

Providence practice

252 Carpenter Street, Unit 1, Providence, RI 02903

Not accepting new clients in-person

Currently Available Times

Morning (Before 10am)
Daytime (10am - 1pm)
Afternoon (1pm - 5pm)
Evening (After 5pm)
Weekends

Regular Hours

Mon 8:30am-2:30pm
Tue 8:30am-2:30pm
Wed 8:30am-2:30pm
Thu 8:30am-2:30pm
Fri Closed
Sat Closed
Sun Closed

Online Sessions (Rhode Island)

Accepting new clients with a 2 - 3 week wait online

Currently Available Times

Morning (Before 10am)
Daytime (10am - 1pm)
Afternoon (1pm - 5pm)
Evening (After 5pm)
Weekends

Regular Hours

Mon 8:30am-2:30pm
Tue 8:30am-2:30pm
Wed 8:30am-2:30pm
Thu 8:30am-2:30pm
Fri Closed
Sat Closed
Sun Closed

Work and Education

Years of Experience: 19 years

Private Practice, Holistic + Embodied Psychotherapist, 2006 - 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

IFS Level 1 Certification, Certificate of Level 1, 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

Languages

English

Client testimonials

"

Stacy was very easy to talk to and demystified the process.

"

- Zencare client • September 2020

"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 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

"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