Santanello Psychological Services

About Dr. Santanello

Hello!

My name is Andy, and I am a tragic optimist. I do not pretend that life is easy or that suffering is always optional. There have been times in my life when the suffering was so bad that I wasn't sure I could go on. Life continues to be challenging, and I expect it will be like that for the rest of my life. It certainly hasn't been easy for me, and I'm sure it hasn't be easy for you, either. As hard as life can be, I also know that it can also be wonderful. My clients have helped me to see both sides of life even more clearly. They continually show me that it is possible to say yes to life even after years of saying no.
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I want you to know that I am a human being, just like you. I have decades of personal experience doing my own work using many of the same tools that I can offer to you.. Here is what all of my clinical and personal experience have shown me: that even in the hard places — grief, struggle, uncertainty, limitation — it is still possible to create opportunities to experience meaning and fulfillment.
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My work is built around one core principle: people don't get stuck because they don't know enough. They get stuck because knowing and doing are not the same thing — and because some things, life changing things, are nearly impossible to do alone. There is plenty of empirical data that I could cite to support that statement. Data is important. I also offer you myself as data as well as the experiences of the hundreds of human beings that have honored me with their trust over the years.

If we decide to do some work together, I will be a steady companion in the hard places, helping you take the next small step, and then the next. When you are done with surface-level answers and want something real, I will be here to offer you a combination of evidence-based approaches — including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Processing Therapy, Existential Therapy, and Prolonged Exposure Therapy — with a side of Zen wisdom and a deeply human, collaborative style. My approach is compassionate and direct, and I believe that that laughter and joy can sit comfortably next to the hard stuff (so prepare yourself for some glorious puns and strategic silliness!)

Thank you for taking the time to learn a little bit more about me and my practice. Before you go, I want to share a short story with you. I hope this will help you to see that being a therapist isn't just a job for me: it is a vocation.

Years ago, as a second year graduate student, I had a chance to meet Steven Hayes, the psychologist who created Acceptance and Commitment Therapy with his students. He graciously signed my copy of his book, and even wrote me a little note: "If it connects with you, pass it on!" That is exactly what I am trying my best to do, and I am grateful to people like you who are giving me the opportunity to do it!

-Andy

My Values

Creativity, intimacy, bravery, adventure, generosity, spirituality, and SILLINESS are guiding principles in all domains of my life.

Zen Buddhism

Mindfulness and zen practice are very important parts of my life. I believe that having a personal mindfulness practice is essential for psychotherapists. Outside of my professional life, I am very active in my Buddhist community (Clare Sangha) where I serve as a sensei and priest in the White Plum Lineage of Soto Zen Buddism.

My Hobbies and Interests

I am a HUGE animal lover and am a proud “dog dad” to my faithful hound, Clancy, whom I adopted from the Maryland SPCA. Being creative is also a passion for me, and currently I am “scratching that itch” by home-brewing beer. Also, I think it’s really important to find humor in life. That is why I REALLY enjoy torturing other people with my corny jokes and puns. Exploration and being in nature are also really important to me, and I am currently trying to spend as much time as possible in the woods.

What Does My Logo Mean?

You might be wondering about the image in the logo for Santanello Psychological Services. It is a hanko. In Japanese culture and Zen Buddhism, a hanko is a personal seal that is used in place of a signature when signing documents. I use my hanko when signing my Dharma name, Ryūshin or "Dragon Heart/Mind", in my role as a Zen teacher.

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About Dr. Santanello

My Values

Zen Buddhism

My Hobbies and Interests

What Does My Logo Mean?

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