Antonia McDonnell Capossela

Sometimes transitions and changes in your life and relationships can leave you feeling detached from your desires, from yourself, and from others. At other times, old patterns in ways of relating and thinking can lead to painful cycles that can make growth and change feel almost impossible. Clients often come in looking to reconnect with themselves and their own sexualities, wanting to address elements of shame that so often come up, and wondering where to begin.

By utilizing a compassionate, trauma-informed, and culturally-sensitive approach, my work is guided by a systemic model that acknowledges and integrates the complex individual, relational, and generational factors that shape our identities, sexualities and ways of relating. Combining your self-knowledge and my observations, we will get clear on your goals, uncover the hurdles you face, and use the strengths you already possess to develop new ways of meeting your unique needs, goals, and hopes.

Over time, clients often experience an increased sense of connection and ease with themselves and partners, a deeper feeling of attunement to their authentic desires, and the confidence to work through new challenges that may arise later. Together, we will collaborate to develop a toolkit that can help you reach these goals.

Experience:
Antonia is in her final year of Widener University’s dual-degree program, completing both her Master of Social Work (MSW) and her Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Human Sexuality, an AASECT-certified program. She additionally holds a Gottman Level 1 certification.

She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Human Biology from Scripps College.

For the past year, Antonia has worked at The LGBT Community Center in the youth department, supporting young people navigating challenges such as substance use, anxiety, depression, identity exploration, and relationships.
Her practice is rooted in a strengths-based, systemic model that centers the client’s expertise and lived experience while acknowledging the impact of broader relational and societal dynamics and structures of power.

Client Focus:
Individuals, couples, queer and LGBTQIA+ communities, people in kinky and polyamorous relationships, and clients navigating fertility, pregnancy, postpartum transitions, chronic illness, or disability.

Types of therapy:
Strengths-based therapy, systemic therapy, trauma-informed care, sex therapy (in training), Gottman-informed work.

Issues:
Anxiety, depression, trauma

Specialties:

• • Infertility, pregnancy, and postpartum experiences
  • The queer and LGBTQIA+ communities
  • Kinky and poly dynamics
  • Chronic illness and disability
  • Sexual dysfunctions (including pain during sex, premature ejaculation, difficulty reaching orgasm, low-desire, and delayed ejaculation)
  • Communication and relational issues
  • Confidence and self-connection

What brings you a sense of ease?
I love walking with my sweet dog, Frida, listening to music or audiobooks, and trying out new cookie recipes.

More than just my work:
I am a chronically ill, queer woman based in Brooklyn and despite having grown-up in the city, I am routinely awed by walking over the Brooklyn Bridge. I am an avid lover of cinnamon rolls and cafes, which I am always on the lookout for as I make my way through the city.