Elio Scudieri

Elio Scudieri

Associate Marriage and Family Therapist #131795

Santa Cruz Office

Medi-Cal Provider

Sometimes hurts get stacked on each other and we assemble a life that protects against the pain, so it doesn’t ever hurt like that again. But in that process of armoring ourselves, we build a structure that also limits our capacity to enjoy life. I believe we each have a much more unconstrained life that wants us to live it. By knowing ourselves through discovery, we can work to be accountable to our own position and condition in life, forgive ourselves and others, and create a life that rewards us for this beautiful and courageous effort.

Mindfulness. Humor. Creativity. Reverence. Compassion. Empathy. Accountability. Problem-solving. These elements will be encouraged and practiced in our sessions together.

I work with clients collaboratively, and in a way that considers both the practical applications and the emotional underpinnings of how life is undertaken. I find this combination supports our knowing of ourselves, in touch with our emotions, and how that influences and is influenced by our action-oriented choices.

We each inhabit a body, and these bodies are intelligent. They hold stories that want to be told—stories that can help us feel good about ourselves and want to be shared. And stories that want to stay hidden and contribute to our shame. Breaking the isolation by coming into connection with another person breaks the spell of trauma. Trauma is healed relationally, which is what we do when we share our stories of hurt with someone who can hold us in our discomfort. 

I have been working as a life coach since 2009, and have been a certified couples coach since 2013. Working with couples is a passion of mine as the well-being of union/family/partnership is something I care deeply about. Watching a couple transform from distraught, disconnected, angry, insecure, and hopeless to connected, at ease, laughing, feeling vibrant, safe and secure, and on the same team is truly rewarding. I work with both monogamous and non-monogamous couples. 

If you think we may be a match, please reach out. I always have a brief conversation by phone before agreeing to meet to make sure the fit feels mutual, and that working together will be time well-spent. I appreciate you for taking steps in helping your life feel healthy and meaningful.

To Request an Appointment at Shine a Light or NPCC, please fill out this form. Please note *We respond to inquiries Monday through Friday 8AM to 8PM. All inquiries we receive on the weekends or holidays will be processed the next business day. Thank you for your patience.

Appointment Request

Do you have both Medicare and Medi-Cal coverage?

Have you been seen at Shine a Light previously?

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Virtual or In-person Preference

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New Office in San Francisco!

Shine a Light Counseling Center is please to merge with New Perspectives Center for Counseling. NPCC has been serving the San Francisco community for thirty years. Now NPCC is transitioning to become the San Francisco site for Shine a Light. NPCC will retain its name, character and history. For information about NPCC or counseling in San Francisco:

 

New Perspectives Center for Counseling

To Request agency Information about Shine a Light or NPCC, please fill out this form. (this is not the form for new client inquiries)

Emergency Contact

Shine a Light does not provide crisis services. If you have a mental health emergency, call 988 or 911. Or  click here  for more Crisis Resources

Telephone Contact

You can call Shine a Light at 831-996-1222, but we encourage you to use the email forms to the left. If you call, please leave the following:

  • Phone number
  • Preferred location
  • Best times to meet
  • Issue you want help with
  • What insurance you have (if any)

FAX us at: 831-417-0443

Good Faith Estimate

You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your medical care will cost. Your fee will be set according to a sliding scale, in collaboration with your therapist, prior to your first counseling session. Total costs depend upon the number of sessions you choose to utilize.

If you have private health insurance, please be aware that your costs for therapy may be less by using an in-network provider for your insurance company. This will depend upon your plan's deductible amounts and co-payments. In some cases, counseling at Shine a Light is less costly than using private insurance.

If you hope to use "out of network" benefits through your private insurance, please be aware that many plans will not reimburse for services provided by pre-licensed therapists (most of our staff).

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Shine a Light Counseling Center