Patty Montagnino, MSW, LCSW

Maybe the mountains you carry were meant to be climbed

Meet Patty

Patty enjoys the freedoms of private practice as she continues to incorporate revolutionary tools and techniques into her work. She received her Master's Degree in Social Work from Fordham University in NYC and was one of the first 400 therapist in the world trained in Accelerated Resolution Therapy. She is a Master Level ART practitioner and SAF-T (Sensation Awareness Focus Technique) Trainer.

Prior to starting a private practice in 2010, Patty worked in various mental health settings including a child and family focused outpatient clinic and a high school based therapeutic program.

Patty is mom to three elementary aged kids - a son and twin daughters. She draws on her life experience as a working mom and entrepreneur to help clients also navigating the tricky waters of work-life balance. Patty's personal challenges with an autoimmune disorder have shaped her views on nutrition, medication, and living a healthy lifestyle. She has a great tribe of referral resources for clients also looking to make changes in the areas of health and wellness.

Why Try Therapy

People seek counseling for a multitude of reasons. Some may come to address personal tragedies and traumas, such as an accident, medical diagnosis, divorce, death of a loved one, or sexual abuse. Others may want professional help managing a mental illness. Some folks aren't in the midst of a crisis at all, but seek unbiased guidance and support as they explore their true wants and desires.

Whether on the job or the in the classroom, on an athletic field or in the kitchen, at one time or another we have all experienced doubts about our talents and abilities. Our previous experiences impact our present beliefs, relationships, performance, and achievement. Using the revolutionary techniques of Accelerated Resolution Therapy, distressing images and feelings related to past personal traumas quickly improve or resolve and clients no longer experience the lingering negative emotional and physical burdens.

Realizing your full potential may require self-knowledge, self-control, and self-acceptance, but you don't have do the work by yourself. Whether you are just starting your journey or have been to therapy before, give Accelerated Resolution Therapy a try and experience the life changing benefits this technique has to offer.

Specialty Areas

Trauma & PTSD
Depression
Anxiety, Fears & Phobias
Grief & Loss
Relationship Issues
Divorce Reaction
Career Challenges
Academic & Sports Performance

What is ART and How Does it Work?

Accelerated Resolution Therapy

Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) is a highly effective evidence-based psychotherapy technique used for treating various mental health disorders, emotional issues, and physical conditions. Clients regularly experience extraordinary benefits during the first session and most issues can be resolved within five sessions.

The brain is capable of positively modifying or eliminating unwanted and distressing memories and images. Utilizing rapid eye movements, similar to those that occur during a dream state, and a technique known as Voluntary Memory/Image Replacement, the brain is able to change the way images are stored. The therapist guides the client through the process of exploring feelings and bodily sensations, as well as creating positive outcomes in distressing situations. As a result, negative experiences no longer trigger undesirable emotional and physical reactions. Clients are not only desensitized to their experiences, negatives are transformed into positives. ART creator Laney Rosenzweig refers to this effect as "positization".

ART is not hypnosis as clients remain in control during the entire session. A client can choose whether or not to discuss their troublesome memories and experiences. What the client is willing and able to verbalize has no bearing on the benefits they receive. ART has been used successfully with children, adolescents, and adults. Clients need only be free of any medical issue that prevents them from tracking left to right with their eyes, be able to hold a thought and focus on what is being asked of them, and be motivated to get better. Skepticism is fine, but success requires motivation.

Trauma Not Transformed Becomes Trauma Transferred

Voluntary Memory & Image Replacement

Voluntary Memory/Image Replacement (VMR/VIR) allows clients to process out unwanted distressing images and replace them with positive ones. It was once believed that memories were fixed, like the words in a book. Want to recall an event, take the "book" off the shelf and turn to that "page". We now know that memories are stored in pieces in various parts of the brain and come back together to form the complete story. We also understand that memories are malleable and in the recall process can be changed. ART allows clients to retain the memory story while erasing and replacing traumatic and distressing images in order to desensitize a trigger. Clients often note that old images are "somewhere in the distance" or they experience past events as an observer, not a participant.

Trauma & PTSD

Many individuals experience symptoms associated with painful and traumatic circumstances. Anxiety, fear, and hopelessness are a few emotions that can linger long after such events. Using ART you can overcome negative feelings, replace upsetting images, and heal from the pain of the past.

Depression & Anxiety

Depression, fear, and anxiety are some of the most common and uncomfortable emotions that we all experience at various points in our lives. ART helps you change your perspective of past events and present triggers, enabling you to visualize a future full of joy, motivation, and confidence.

More information

Office Hours & Location

We offer appointments at various times of the day in an effort to accommodate every busy schedule. Appointments are available as early as 8am and evening sessions can be scheduled on Wednesdays until 8pm.

Our office is located in the same building as Easterling Family Law. Make yourself comfortable and your therapist will meet you in the waiting area.

Insurance

We have carefully considered the pros and cons of accepting insurance and have decided to participate in a limited number of insurance plans. We presently accept most Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, and TriCare plans. We offer a sliding scale for a limited number of clients demonstrating financial need.

Fees

Out of pocket session rate is $130. Sessions typically run between 60 to 75 minutes in length. Because each client progresses through the ART session protocol at a different rate, it is impossible to know in advance how long a session will run. Insurance companies allow for 60 minute sessions, therefore if you are using insurance, only the first hour can be billed and you will be financially responsible for additional time. If you are a Self Pay client we can provide you with a receipt that can be submitted to your insurance company for possible reimbursement.

We are able to accept HSA and FSA debit cards for mental health services.