E28: Counseling Across the Lifespan: Finding Strength in Vulnerability

What makes Tess Inman with Cristina Panaccione and Associates a good neighbor? 

Breaking Mental Health Stigmas: A Conversation with Tess Inman of Christina Panaccione & Associates Counseling

In our latest episode of the Good Neighbor Podcast, we had the privilege of sitting down with Tess Inman, a dedicated therapist from Christina Panaccione and Associates Counseling. This female-led practice has been serving the Pittsburgh community for over a decade, with locations in McMurray/Canonsburg and Robinson, along with school-based services and virtual therapy options. Their mission is clear and powerful: to normalize seeking therapy and break down the persistent stigmas surrounding mental health treatment.

Tess shared her personal journey into becoming a therapist, revealing how her own struggles during the 1990s shaped her professional path. Growing up in an era when mental health was rarely discussed openly, she remembered feeling embarrassed about asking her parents for therapy and then facing the additional challenge of finding the right therapist. This experience inspired her career choice, as she wanted to contribute to a world where vulnerability is recognized as strength rather than weakness. Her story reflects a broader truth that many of us have experienced – that seeking help shouldn't be stigmatized but celebrated as a proactive step toward wellness.

One of the most compelling parts of our conversation addressed common misconceptions about therapy. Tess emphasized that there's still a pervasive belief that you must be "crazy" or have something severely wrong with you to benefit from therapy. She pointed out how this mindset is not only inaccurate but potentially harmful, as it prevents many people from seeking the support they need. The reality, as she explained, is that trauma is subjective, and we all face struggles, particularly in our post-COVID world where we're collectively navigating recovery from a global trauma. This perspective reframes therapy as a valuable resource for anyone dealing with life's challenges, not just for those in crisis situations or with diagnosed mental health conditions.

Christina Panaccione and Associates Counseling stands out for its comprehensive approach to mental health care. They serve clients across the entire lifespan, from young children to elderly individuals, and offer specialized certifications in various therapeutic modalities. Tess herself is a Gottman-certified couples therapist, while other clinicians in the practice are certified in grief counseling and EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), an effective trauma treatment. This diverse expertise allows them to address a wide range of needs within the community, making quality mental health care more accessible to everyone.

The practice leverages various channels to connect with potential clients, including their website and Psychology Today profiles, which provide detailed information about each therapist's specialties and approaches. They also receive referrals from the school districts they serve, which can lead to treating entire families when needed. By providing both in-person and virtual services, they've adapted to the changing landscape of mental health care delivery, particularly following the COVID-19 pandemic. This flexibility ensures that more people can access therapy in ways that work best for their individual circumstances and comfort levels.

To learn more about Cristina Panaccione and Associates go to: 

cpa-counseling.com

Cristina Panaccione and Associates

(412)353 5299