Meet Casey Lucarelli

Today we’d like to introduce you to Casey Lucarelli.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Casey. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
The experiences that I have had throughout my life led me to where I am now. It all started out with meeting a therapist I had in treatment ten years ago. I told her, “I want to do what you do.” She responded. “you can.” It was that moment in my life where I found hope and confidence to fulfill my dream. I went back to school to become a Drug and Alcohol Counselor. My professor pushed me to move forward with my degree. I ended up moving out to Colorado eight years ago and getting my Masters in Social Work. I decided to open up a private practice because I wanted to help individuals who struggle with identity, sexuality, and substance use. My experiences allow me to connect with individuals from all walks of life. I am confident in my work and believe that everyone has the potential to live the life they have always dreamed of. I continue to seek out ways to improve myself and expose myself to new experiences and opportunities to grow personally and professionally. I am truly passionate about the work I do and hold it close to my heart. My unique and creative approach allows my clients to address their false sense of self and gain a new enthusiasm for life.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I always had a dream to one day become a therapist, but at that time, I never thought I could. I was crippled by fear, shame, and my addiction took a toll. I spent my childhood struggling with my sexuality and gender expression. I often questioned my gender identity due to the clothes I wore and how I looked. I remained small and often struggled with panic attacks and massive amounts of anxiety. I spent my young adult life, chasing various things to mask my pain and numb my false sense of self. I found myself dimming my light and allowed myself to not be seen. I worked endless hours at my family’s restaurant (Roseland Appiza) to give me a false sense of purpose. I was deep in my addiction and had nowhere to turn.

I ended up going to treatment for trauma and drug addiction to find a healthy solution to my various issues. Throughout my experiences, in life, I met many amazing professionals who helped me shed those layers that no longer served me. It was here where I found my true passion and purpose for life. I gained the confidence to return to school and get my master’s in Social Work. I have such a passion for rooting for helping individuals become their authentic self and rid those layers of shame that no longer serve them. If it wasn’t for the many amazing individuals that I met, I would not be where I am today.

We’d love to hear more about your practice.
My private practice focuses on the emotional well-being of adolescents and young adults. I specialize in working with individuals who struggle with addiction/substance abuse and shame specific to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community. My goal is for individuals to address the underlying pain that is beneath the surface of many addictions and counterproductive patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving. I utilize a variety of therapeutic techniques to thoroughly address the underlying issues that deeply affect the individual’s ability to grow. My hope is for the individual to establish a truly authentic relationship with self and become who you were always meant to be.

I am most proud of the journey my business has taken me on. I had the opportunity to work with LGBTQ clients from all over the world at a treatment facility in Thailand. I also am proud of the work I do and hold it close to my heart. I am honored to walk beside clients as they rid their shame, find their identity, and truly embrace who they are. What sets me apart from others is I continue to work on myself personally and professionally, which truly allows me to hold space for my clients. I am also super direct in a compassionate way and have the ability to connect with all walks of life. I often hear from clients, “I feel like I can tell you anything and you won’t judge me.”

What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I was extremely shy, introverted, and caring. I played with the boys and always gave them a run for their money. Batman and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles became an obsession. I often found myself boating, jet skiing and fishing. I loved riding my dirt bike and quad and was always up for an adventure. I always had a drive for work and worked at a very young age at my family’s restaurant.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.caseylucarelli.com
• Phone: 203-305-8816
• Email: therapy@caseylucarelli.com

Image Credit:
Jason Batch Photography

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