Geoffrey Sanford, LPC
Geoffrey Sanford, LPC
Psychotherapist
Pronouns: He/Him/His
As a former musician, educator, and person in recovery from addiction, I bring a unique perspective to the field of mental health. By cultivating a friendly and welcoming atmosphere free from judgment, my guiding principle is to value and explore the inherent worth and dignity of every person. At its core, therapy hinges on one simple dynamic: the power of feeling heard and understood by another person. Some of the most powerful sessions are the ones in which a therapist barely speaks.
As an interpersonal constructivist, I lean heavily into the client-therapist dynamic as well as the power of personal agency in all of its manifestations. While the bulk of my therapeutic experience lies in working with addiction, I employ other modalities and theoretical orientations depending on the circumstances and am particularly fluent in mindfulness practice and dialectical behavior therapy.
Background
In my first career, I was a professionally trained orchestral musician and teacher. Music has been an important part of my life from an early age, and I continue to hold a deep appreciation for the arts. Treatment and recovery from addiction led me to become a therapist, and I have dedicated myself to using my lived experience to help others. I currently work as a behavioral health therapist at the Narcotic Addiction Treatment Program (NATP) of UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital where I primarily treat patients using medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder.
Specialties
- Addiction
- Depression
- Anxiety
Can Also Work With
- College students and young adults
- Men’s issues
- Emotion regulation & distress tolerance
- Mindfulness
Insurances Covered:
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Aetna
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Cigna
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United Healthcare/Optum
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