Vinny Ancona, LMSW

Vincent John Ancona or “Vinny” (they/them/theirs or he/him/his), LMSW, LCSW, is a licensed psychologist and professionally certified Grief Educator (CGE) & Clinical Trauma Practitioner (CCTP) who is currently licensed in the states of Michigan and Nevada. Vinny provides clients of all ages, abilities, genders, sexual orientations, belief systems, and class backgrounds direct access to an LGBTQIA+, kink, and ethically non-monogamous-informed atmosphere. Vinny’s passion is to empower their clients to heal emotional wounds by investigating dynamic relationships between the mind, brain, heart, gut, body, nervous system, and environment (psycho-neuro-immunology) using talk therapy. Their goal is to break down barriers and stigma surrounding mental health diagnosis and treatment, utilize feminist and social justice principles, build authentic rapport through earning trust, all while providing the most up-to-date, evidence based (and alternative) treatment methods to ensure holistic and effective mental health care.

A graduate of Bucknell University and European Clinical Psychology scholar at the University of Copenhagen through the Danish Institute of Study Abroad (DIS), Vinny eventually received their masters degree (MSW) at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. They completed a rigorous certification and training in Grief, Loss, Death, & Dying designed by renowned grief expert and hospice director David Kessler, FACHE (co-inventor of the stages of grief: Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Sadness, Acceptance, Finding Meaning). They also received training and certification from trauma expert, neuroscientist, and forensic psychologist Dr. Jennifer Sweeton in evidence-based trauma treatment including cognitive, somatic, and neural desensitization techniques. They are currently undergoing a certificate program for treatment of ADHD in Adults which is expected to conclude by the end of 2024. Vinny is also an active member of the American Psychological Association (APA) and is aligned with the National Alliance of Trauma Recovery Centers (NATRC).

Vinny approaches therapy by integrating components from a variety of unique modalities including neural desensitization for trauma, grief and loss counseling, existential logotherapy, psychoanalysis, problem solving therapy, CBT, DBT, ACT, and career counseling to best support each client. Vinny joins with clients to form a partnership, where therapy is individualized, goals and solutions are mutually agreed upon, and are often re-evaluated throughout the evolving therapeutic relationship. Vinny has years of experience in the United States and Denmark supporting clients who have undergone various forms of trauma, grief and loss, academic and career concerns, existential concerns, anxiety, depression, adjustment to life changes, suicidal ideation, relationship issues, minority distress, and LGBTQIA+ issues including coming out and gender / identity exploration. They believe that triumphs over great adversity can act as hooks into the emotional experience and that therapy is a special opportunity to listen for things that aren't being said. For your convenience, Vinny provides telehealth sessions to the comfort of your own living room and is excited to meet you, especially if you are hesitant about therapy, psychology as a discipline, and power structures!