Stacy Ciano, LCSW-C

Stacy Ciano is a licensed clinical social worker in Maryland who brings twenty years of experience to her work. She focuses on stress, anxiety, depression, self esteem, and trauma and abuse. Stacy approaches therapy believing each person knows their own story and has strengths to build on.

She centers sessions on practical steps and compassionate listening. Conversations often begin with what feels most pressing - a panic attack, a harsh inner critic, or the weight of a difficult life change. Stacy aims to help people notice patterns and try small changes that make daily life easier.

Her approach draws on several evidence-informed methods. She uses techniques from cognitive behavioral therapy to change unhelpful thinking, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to clarify values, and emotionally-focused ideas to strengthen connection with one’s feelings. Dialectical skills and mindfulness practices are woven in when they fit a person's needs.

Stacy supports people working through issues such as abandonment, body image concerns, chronic illness and pain, and the fallout of separation. She also helps with mood disorders, panic, and post-traumatic stress symptoms. Conversations include both coping tools and longer-term steps toward clearer purpose.

Stacy describes therapy as a collaborative process. She listens first, then helps set goals that match each person’s life and energy. Taking the first step can feel hard, and she offers steady guidance through that beginning work.

How therapy methods translate to online care

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy helps people identify what matters most to them and take small steps toward those values despite hard feelings. It is often used for anxiety, depression, and life transitions. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy focuses on changing unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns, giving simple tools for managing panic, low mood, and stress in day-to-day life. Emotionally-Focused Therapy centers on understanding and processing emotions to reduce overwhelm and improve emotional awareness.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will listen to your goals and preferences and together you will decide which methods to try first. This collaborative process allows techniques to be adjusted over time based on what is helpful.

Session formats are not specified in the biography, so confirm current options before booking. Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy week, reduce travel time, and allow people to keep therapy consistent during life changes. It can also make shorter check-ins or regular weekly work simpler to schedule, and can be adapted so focus is on skill practice, emotion regulation, and problem solving rather than logistics.