Therapy For Sensitive People

Hi, I’m Dianne Gallo, LCSW

I offer individual psychotherapy online throughout New York State. 

My specialties are:

  • highly sensitive people (HSPs)

  • those who have experienced trauma

  • young adults finding their path in life

  • anxiety & panic

  • dating & relationships

  • work & career

I support my clients to align to their own inner guidance, develop nourishing relationships, and make choices from a place of love, curiosity, and possibility. You can live with less anxiety and more authenticity, and I’m here to help you along your journey.

Does this sound like you?

  • feel overwhelmed, like the world is just too much 

  • struggle to make decisions

  • feel anxious in intimate relationships

  • have been told you’re “too sensitive” 

  • feel like you’re more sensitive than other people 

If you're struggling, you don't have to go it alone.

My Therapy Areas of Expertise

  • I love supporting HSPs to live their best lives. As an HSP myself, I have experience working through common challenges associated with this trait. Together, we’ll develop strategies to manage your sensitivities and maximize your strengths.

  • Anxiety can be a real struggle, but you don’t have to live with it forever. Whether you’re dealing with panic attacks, worry, social anxiety, or other forms of fear, you can feel better, and you don’t have to go it alone.

  • Whether you’re single, in a committed relationship, or somewhere in between, I’m here for you. Relationships can bring challenges but they are also a great training ground for growth and development. If you’ve experienced any kind of attachment trauma or wounding, therapy is an excellent way to build earned secure attachment. I work with people of all gender identities and sexual orientations. Wherever you are on your relationship journey, I’d love to support you through it.

  • How we spend our time — what we devote our waking hours to — is an important part of what gives meaning to our lives. If you’re struggling to find your path, or if you’re looking to make some changes, our work together can help you clarify how you want to be spending your time and offering your talents.

  • Even if everything looks good on paper, if we’re missing something essential, our lives can feel flat. If you’re craving more connection and vitality, I’d love to support you to bring these qualities into your lived experience.

About Me

Hi, I’m Dianne Gallo, LCSW. I offer online therapy throughout New York State.

I help highly sensitive people, those who have experienced trauma, and young adults to show up authentically in life and relationships.

Together, we’ll get to know you — your patterns, your strengths, your desires — so you become your own best teacher, with me as a steady support along the way.

My Path From HSP to Therapist

As a highly sensitive person myself, I know what it’s like to feel overstimulated in a too-loud, too-busy, fast world. I know what it’s like to feel overwhelmed by emotions – my own, and other people’s. 

Throughout my youth, I was a frequent fainter. I literally lost consciousness more than a dozen times between childhood to young adulthood. These fainting spells would typically happen when my empathy was engaged due to hearing a story about something difficult someone else had experienced. I would have a strong visceral empathic response that went beyond normal listening – hearing a story was like experiencing it myself. I would suddenly find myself overwhelmed by feeling, and then my ears would start to buzz and my hands would tingle, and I’d pass out. After seeing many doctors, they all confirmed there was nothing medically wrong. They couldn’t find a reason for the fainting. As a young adult, I learned to notice the sensation of a faint coming on, and I’d be able to stay conscious. But in lieu of fainting, I suffered terrifying panic attacks. 

After many years of my own therapy and exploration, I’ve come to realize that my fainting spells and panic attacks were due to a super sensitive nervous system. I didn’t have the understanding and tools that I do now. I didn’t know anything about being a Highly Sensitive Person. Now I know that our nervous systems need extra care and attention – and I’ve learned practical strategies to support nervous system regulation. I’ve also come to realize that my empathy is a gift that I can share with others, but it comes with the need for healthy boundaries.

Our bodies hold wisdom – they give us signals when something’s off, and we can work with our bodies to support us in the healing process. I’ve learned first-hand how to support a sensitive nervous system, how to work with anxiety and panic, and how to be an empathetic person in this often overwhelming world.

I now make it my life’s work to listen to other people’s stories – often difficult ones – and I can engage my empathy in a way that supports connection and healing. I’ve had to learn through my own experiences, as we all do. And if I can help make your journey a little smoother, I’m genuinely glad to be of use.

  • Masters of Social Work from Smith College

  • Community Mental Health Worker in NYC

  • Clinical Internships in Educational Settings including San Francisco International High School & Vassar College

  • Trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

  • Trained in post-abortion counseling with Exhale Pro Voice

  • GenSex: anti-oppression workshop for all identities about sexuality, gender, consent, & privilege

  • Certified yoga teacher

Credentials, Trainings, & Certifications

 FAQs

  • The initial consultation is a free 30-minute conversation held over secure video or by phone. We’ll explore your primary goals for therapy, discuss how I may be able to help, and determine whether working together feels like a good fit.

  • My goal is to help you find relief as soon as possible. Sometimes a shorter course of therapy is all that’s needed, but changing deeper patterns can take time. As we progress, we’ll check in around how it’s going and reassess your needs as we go. You’re always welcome to bring in any and all thoughts or feelings about how therapy is going for you. Depending on your needs, we can work on a short-term or longer-term basis.

  • Please reach out to me to inquire about current rates. Part or all of my fees may be reimbursed by your out-of-network insurance benefits. I offer a limited number of sliding scale rates on a case-by-case basis. If you’d like to work with me but cannot afford my full fee, we can discuss this during the free initial consultation. If your financial circumstances change during the course of treatment, we’ll revisit the fee at that time. I welcome conversations around money and what paying for therapy brings up for you, as this is often a loaded topic that goes deep (and therapy is a great place to go deep!).

  • I am an out-of-network only provider. This means that I am not in-network with any insurance plans. If you’d like to use your out of network benefits to help cover the cost of our sessions, I can provide you with a itemized receipt at the end of each month, also called a superbill, that you can submit to your insurer for reimbursement. It is your responsibility to inquire with your insurance company about your specific out-of-network benefits for outpatient mental health services. To clarify your estimated costs and coverage, I recommend calling your insurance provider to ask:

    * Do I have out-of-network benefits for outpatient mental health services with an LCSW?

    * Are telehealth sessions covered (CPT code 90834-95)?

    * If so, what portion of the fee will insurance reimburse?

    * How many sessions will be covered per calendar year? Is there an annual limit?

    * What is my out-of-network deductible? Has any of it been met this year?

    * What are the specific steps I need to take to be reimbursed for out-of-network psychotherapy services?

    * Do I need a referral from my primary care physician for my services to be covered?

  • We’ll agree on a set weekly meeting time. Each session is 45 minutes, held at the same time each week, via secure video. I reserve this time for you alone and won’t double book you with anyone else. This creates a time container for our work to transpire with a reliable structured rhythm that tends to be the most beneficial for therapy.

  • When life happens and you need to cancel, that’s okay, just be sure to provide me with 24 hours’ notice. Sessions canceled or rescheduled with less than 24 hours’ notice are charged for the full session fee. Please note that insurance companies will not reimburse for missed or canceled sessions.

Ready to try therapy?

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