We spoke with Lisa Bargellini, LMHC, CEDS, owner of Lisa Bargellini Therapy. Read our interview to learn more about Lisa, the services she provides, and her advice to us moms as we deal with the pressure of trying to find balance in our busy lives.
Where are you from originally and where do you live now?
I am originally from Chappaqua and graduated from Greeley. A few months ago my family moved to Rye and we have been loving it!
Welcome to the Sound Shore area! How many children do you have and what are their ages?
I have two kids: Jack is 3 and Kate is 18 months. It has been a handful! We are always looking for playdates and things to do on the weekends.
Tell us more about being a Mental Health Counselor! What services do you provide?
I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Certified Eating Disorder Specialist specializing in adolescents and young adults. My practice works with anxiety disorders and mood disorders but we primarily treat eating disorders/ disordered eating. We offer in person and virtual sessions. We provide individual, family and group therapy. We also provide parent coaching and meal support coaching. We have an office in White Plains and Manhattan.
How did you get started? Tell us more about your experience and how your career has evolved!
For as long as I can remember I knew I wanted to be a therapist in private practice. I loved learning about psychology in high school and college. The idea of helping people through hard times seemed to suit me. When I attended Fordham graduate school, I had the opportunity to work at an eating disorder center in Manhattan. It was the most intense and best experience I could have asked for. Working at a treatment center really prepares you for private practice, especially the eating disorder population. There are many layers to treating eating disorders. For every patient I spend about 45 minutes a week on the phone collaborating with their other providers such as pediatricians/nutritionists/psychiatrists. I am not just treating the eating disorder behaviors but also addressing underlying anxiety/depression. We dive deep into family and other significant relationship dynamics.
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
I have to say the most rewarding part of my job is seeing my clients grow over the course of our work together. Some clients I see for only a few months and others have been with me for years. Whatever the length, I get to see each client (and help each client) put in the effort to better their lives. I love seeing my clients tackle the obstacles they came into therapy with.
As a Mental Health Counselor, what advice do you have for us moms trying to find balance and juggle it all?
Being a mom is the most vulnerable role we will ever experience. There is so much pressure to say the “right” thing or being available to our kids 24/7. We need to remember that we are only human. We are doing the best that we are physically and emotionally capable of doing. Some days/weeks/months we may be less emotionally or physically available than others. And that is okay. Give yourself permission to not be perfect. When you are overloaded with life, it is critical to find time to engage in self-care. Research shows that the most rejuvenating self-care is setting intentional plans with friends. Make sure to get lunch or dinner plans on the calendar with people who replenish your energy. You need to put your oxygen mask on first before helping others.
Book recommendations:
Never Enough by Jennifer Breheny Wallace
Eating Disorder Sourcebook by Carolyn Costin
Sick Enough by Dr. Jennifer Gaudiani
My dieting Daughter by Carolyn Costin
I have many more recommendations on my website. I am always happy to do a consultation if someone in your life is demonstrating worrisome dieting behaviors. Please refer to my website for signs and symptoms of eating disorders.
Thank you for taking the time to speak with us and for this encouragement! We are lucky to have you as a resource in our community!
Visit www.lisabargellinitherapy.com for more information and email [email protected] to set up a consultation!