Healing begins with feeling heard.
You don't have to have it all figured out. With our evidence-based therapy, we'll work through anything you're going through together.
About Skills Based Counseling
Skills Based Counseling, SBC, is a premier therapy practice in Sarasota dedicated to supporting children, families, and adolescents using evidence-based therapies.
Our founder, Mary Gavin Cantillo, is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor with over 20 years of experience working in school and clinical environments with people of all ages.
Emotional well-being involves changing the way you see things to develop healthier perspectives.
At SBC, therapy isn't about labels or fixing what's "wrong"—it's about exploring new perspectives together. At our practice, you won't be talked at or judged. Rather, you'll be met with curiosity and compassion. We seek to create a collaborative space where we can challenge old thought patterns and grow together.
Our Services
Effective techniques
We use a variety of approaches, such as Solutions Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), Mindfulness, and more. We'll pick and use an approach that works for you specifically.
Individual therapy
We can help you work through just about any challenge: behavioral, academic, social, and more. We help children, adolescents, and adults navigate mental wellness.
Multiple conditions treated
We treat anxiety, depression, autism, ADHD, and much more. We also target key skills such as social or parenting skills to ensure optimal growth and development.
Our approach to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT helps you look at challenges though a different lens. Often, we get stuck in patterns of thinking that make problems feel bigger than they are. CBT works by helping you identify those patterns, understand where they come from, and gently shift your way of thinking to be more positive.
Over time, you'll begin to see things in a more balanced way—approaching situations with confidence.
Patient testimonials
Starting therapy is a brave step and involves finding a counselor you can trust. See what our patients have to say.
I have been working with Mary for a year so far and I loved working with her! She is very professional and involved, she really tried her best to improve my self-esteem, setting-up my goals, communicate better, etc. Thanks for everything Mary!!
I’ve had one meeting with Mary so far and I’m excited to see how this helps my teen daughter. I’m excited about Mary’s expertise in teen behavior and my daughter was really receptive to speaking with her. Looking forward to this experience.
Mary is great. She helps me reframe my thinking and provides ideas and activities to help with depression and anxiety.
She has changed my daughters life.
