About Therapy
Let’s fix what needs fixing.
When you choose me, our primary goal is to build trust and honesty as we explore what’s going on.
We will examine and take a long, loving look at what is working and discover what isn’t. Once we have identified what you want to fix, a typical session explores how you practice shifts in mindset and changing patterns. Healing happens, and life becomes brighter.
I will teach you practical tools to handle intense emotions. Making space for those feelings lets you heal and bring back the parts of yourself you’ve pushed aside. The goal is to become a person who can feel the full range of emotions with balance and grace.
I work with adult men, women, and couples.
With couples, we focus on the relationship itself: how you connect, communicate, and relate to each other.
Individual therapy explores one’s sense of self and interactions with the world. Sometimes, couples also use individual therapy and then come together to work on their relationship.
After a few sessions, you’ll have a clearer idea of how long therapy might take. Some clients come for a few months to work through a specific issue. Others stay longer, especially if they’re healing from trauma that’s been holding them back for years.
To get the most out of therapy, be honest and take a long, loving look at what is happening. Then, you bring those insights into your daily life, and you’ll be amazed at the changes.
My clients want real change.
I’m here to help make that happen. You will notice that I am direct and kind. I’ll call you out when needed, but always with care.
For example, I worked with someone strong-willed and compassionate who didn’t realize that their toughness sent a message of distrust. Once they saw this clearly, everything shifted.
Consider RTT for fast relief in just 2-3 sessions. See the specialty page for more on RTT or contact me today.
You’d want quick relief if you had a physical cut that hurt. So, why expect less from emotional wounds? I’m good at what I do and would love to help you heal.
Sandra L. Chmielewski, MEd, MA, MS, C.HYP, RTTP, LMHC, ACPE-CE
My purpose in this life is to heal myself and facilitate that for others.
I firmly believe that an excellent therapist has done and continues to do their own work.
I use regular reflection, journaling, professional consultation, ongoing education, meditation, and retreats to see where I’m balanced or getting in my own way. This is critical to sound therapy.
My counseling style is strengths-based and person-centered. To support long-term results, interventions are 100% unique to individual needs. Each client receives an individualized plan. Key modalities I use include Person-Centered Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), Rapid Transformational Therapy (RTT), and Mind Movie Method Coaching (MMMC).
Here is a look at my education and training.
I have an M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, an M.A. in Theology, and an M.Ed. in Parent and Family Education. I have also achieved certification as an ACPE-certified Educator/Supervisor, Spiritual Director/Supervisor, Rapid Transformational Therapy, and Mind Movie Method Coaching.
I have additional training and expertise with Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), Sacred Art of Living & Dying, Crisis Incident Stress Management (CISM), Mind-Body Skills, Grief & Loss Counseling, Psychological First Aid (PFA) Adjunct, and Spiritual Deepening.
Fun facts about me?
I won a hula-hoop contest at age 21. Another fun fact is that I have yet to meet someone who can whistle louder than I can. I also enjoy dog training, sewing, and playing games – mostly cards.