Jill Dagistino
M.S.,L.M.H.C.
I believe we all set out with intentionality to be our best. Oftentimes, when there is a hiccup along the way, we briefly lose our focus and direction, resulting in an uncomfortableness that requires a little assistance. My goal is to partner side by side with people of all ages to steer them back on course, so they can return to happy, productive, and rewarding lives. Dr. Seuss says it best: “You have brains in your head and feet in your shoes; you can steer yourself in any direction you choose!”
From a theoretical orientation, I approach therapy from a positive lens, incorporating a mix of compassion, warmth, humor, education, and the use of metaphors or story-telling. To me, counseling is a process of opening up about life experiences and genuine thoughts and feelings in order to increase understanding of self and the emotional conflicts that keep individuals stuck in unwanted patterns. My goal is to assist in moving through those blocks by partnering with clients to achieve goals and embrace positively rewarding life experiences. If requested, I am happy to incorporate faith into treatment.
I enjoy working with a wide variety of clients and challenges. Specifically, my interests center on loss, adoption, grief, and infertility, knowing personally the strain they place on achievements and relationships both in individuals and couples. If a formal office setting is less appealing, I also offer walk-talk sessions where we meet in our workout clothes, grab a water bottle, and set out on a designated path outside amongst nature.
To give insight into me as a person, I am a wife and mom to my two young adult children, step mom to my husband’s adult children, and “mom” to a four-legged furry friend. When not at work, I enjoy reading, word games, all sorts of puzzles, walking, yoga, interior decorating, and constantly learning. Together my husband and I enjoy traveling, anything outdoors, and spending time with family, especially in the North Carolina Smokey Mountains.
Originally from St. Louis, Missouri, I have lived in South Florida for over 30 years. Prior to counseling, I worked as an assistant teacher at Spanish River Christian School in the kindergarten and second grade classrooms. Before that, I had a 25-year merchandising and marketing career in the women’s apparel and accessories fashion industry.
I have always wanted to be a therapist, but the timing was never right. Something seemed to always get in the way. Like many people, I suffered several challenging setbacks that caused me to redirect the pathways toward realizing my life ambitions. I now see those difficulties as advantageous, meaningful, and educational. In fact, coming to this field later in life allows me to bring years of life experience that fosters great empathy and an intense desire to help others in achieving the peace and joy that comes from living their best lives.
CREDENTIALS:
Licensed Mental Health Counselor
M.S. Mental Health Counseling, Lynn University
Dialectical Behavior Training (DBT) Level 2 Trained
Certified Autism Specialist (CAS)
AREAS OF SPECIALIZATION:
Individuals age 7 and up
Anxiety and Depression
Adoption
Anger
Feeling Stuck
Communication Challenges