Carol Santucci, LCSW

Carol Santucci is more than a therapist. She will transform your life if you let her. I have to say, I’m surprised by the two negative reviews on here – but it makes sense that neither of them actually stuck with her for more than a visit or two.
When I began with her, about a year and a half ago, I was trapped by a rather self-​defeating mindset. Even though deep down I knew I had a lot to offer the world (professionally, relationally, and creatively), I couldn’t help but feel like the good things in life were completely out of reach. She challenged this self-​defeating attitude from day one and drilled down to the core of what was holding me back. My mindset since has completely turned around, and people have noticed. At work I’m getting new praise all the time. When I meet up with old friends, they are amazed at the difference they see. And my long-​term relationship is happier and more mutually supportive than ever.
She goes beyond listening and helping her clients reflect. She coaches. She makes you laugh. She will challenge your B.S.; in fact, over time you will recognize your B.S. too and not even bother bringing it to her (or convincing yourself of any such nonsense, for that matter)! She did all of this for me, and now I recognize the good in myself and the possibilities in front of me – and best of all, I have the confidence to jump in and benefit from them. I cannot recommend her highly enough.

She deserves no stars from me.
I just walked out of her office and all I can really do is laugh! And write this review. I recently made an appointment with her and this was the second visit. I read the Unilocal review before seeing her, which was a little scary but since she was the only one who called back (among others I called to inquire about accepting new patients), I decided to just at least try. The first appointment went OK, although I saw that she was a bit abrasive and seemingly very impatient (she kept on interrupting), she also seemed very intelligent, so I decided to go back.
So today was the second appt, and it was at noon. I work nearby and it takes about 15 mins to walk over. Near her office I saw that she had just texted saying that she’s on a slow bus and will be about 10 mins late. OK. So I text her back when I am in the waiting room: «OK, I’ll wait. But please give me a little more lead time if there is a next time. Thank you.» She enters the office around the time she said she would, has me sit in her office while she sets up. Says she has to go to the bathroom, I say OK. By the time she sits down, it’s about 15 mins after. Before I can say anything, she starts, «First we need to talk about this. This is how it’s going to work. First, I am going to be late and you’re going to be late. Second, I take the bus and I don’t have control over traffic, and third, appointments are 45 mins long and I usually give a full hour. I didn’t like your text message and we need to talk about that.» Really? I respond, well I come from work, I have an hour for lunch, and it takes me about 15 mins to walk over. If i knew you were running late I can also leave work a little later. This goes on for a few mins, and I am like, «are we really talking about this for all this time?» I look at the clock and it is now 22 mins after. She says that it is a part of my counseling, and something about being in a bad mood because she was running late. I tell her that as a paying client, i think i have a right to ask her to give me a little more lead time if and when she’s late. She finally says, «well, if this is the game you want to play, and this must be how you behave in the outside world, then this is not going to work.» (her exact words, I kid you not) So i said, «you are right. This is not going to work and I won’t be working with you any more,» and walked out.
HAHAHA How the heck did she get into counseling if this is the type of people skill she has? A smile and a quick apology would have been fine! Hasn’t she heard that being on time is a part of being professional, and that maybe she should just start leaving her home a little earlier? Also, how the heck does she expect to help people with this kind of «all me and the world has to deal» mentality?
Anyway — all this is to say, I should have listened to the previous Unilocal reviewer.
Reader, you think about that before you make an appointment with this person.

She is prompt with email & setting up visits, & policies are clearly explained. However, I cannot recommend this provider. On the Psychology Today profile, she claims to «provide a safe, supportive, and confidential environment to encourage self exploration, personal development, and growth.» This was absolutely not my experience. In response to my answers to her questions about my family background, she called me «weak», told me that I have «no personality» of my own, and insinuated that I am «disgusting» and «a b***h.» She states that she is trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, but these statements are examples of thought errors (name calling and black and white thinking). She was actually quite combative on many visits, but this, my seventh and final visit was the worst. Upon my payment and telling her that I would not be returning, she called me «a quitter.» If ceasing to visit a therapist who behaves this way is quitting, so be it. I cannot recommend for anyone suffering from depression or with suicidal thoughts.