Madison DiGiacomo, MHC-LP

I wanted to be the next Olivia Benson. I was studying criminal justice in college, completely convinced I was going to be a detective helping survivors of sex crimes. Then COVID hit, classes lulled and my interest started to plateau. But when I took one elective class – Psychology of Women – I immediately requested a major change because I realized I’d found what I was actually supposed to be doing.

Before becoming a therapist, I worked as a registered behavioral technician, which gave me unique training in ABA that shapes how I understand behavior and change. But some of my best therapeutic tools come from completely unexpected places. My knowledge of baking and pop culture has brought me closer to more clients than any textbook ever could. Sometimes rapport building happens over shared obsessions with reality TV or discussing the perfect chocolate chip cookie recipe.

I work with people 35 and under dealing with everything from behavioral issues and anxiety to relationship challenges and sexual violence. My approach pulls from Gestalt therapy for staying present, narrative therapy for rewriting your story, person-centered work because you’re the expert on your life, and DBT for practical skills you can actually use.

One of my favorite techniques happens when clients get tense during difficult conversations. I’ll shift my body language – feet flat on the ground, arms uncrossed – and watch as they naturally mirror me and ground themselves too. Then I ask how they need to feel supported at that moment. It’s not about redirecting away from the hard stuff; it’s about making sure you feel heard while we work through it together.

What energizes me most is working with clients who come to sessions ready to share something – even if it’s just talking about their week. I had one teenage client who spent weeks sighing and expressing zero desire to be there. I kept exploring their interests, relating when I could, until finally they started opening up about home life. The breakthrough moment was when I had to cancel a session because I was sick, and the next week they told me to never get sick again. That’s when I knew they’d found a space they actually wanted to be in.

Growing up, my family had to rebuild our home and I shared a room with my brother for years. That experience taught me about gratitude and patience – qualities that show up in how I practice today. When I’m not working, you’ll find me baking cookies, spending time with friends, or maintaining the close family relationships that mean everything to me.

If you’re hesitant about starting, know that we can go at whatever pace feels right. I believe therapy is about you getting there yourself – I’m simply the track that your train is on, and you decide when and where to switch gears.