Clinician Spotlight: Nina Cianfrani, LCSW
In her teenage years, Happier Living’s Nina Cianfrani became the unofficial “matchmaker” among her friends.
“I loved talking with people, understanding them, and helping them find some happiness in the otherwise often dramatic world of teenage life,” she says. Around the same time, she took her first sociology and psychology classes and was completely fascinated. “That combination – my natural pull toward connection and my curiosity about human behavior – made my path clear. I realized I wanted to help people build lives they genuinely love, starting with learning to love themselves.”
Working at Happier Living allows her to do that. “Happier Living’s mission reflects the heart of why I became a therapist: to help people live fuller, more connected, and genuinely happier lives,” she says. “I also love the holistic approach. Mental health is never just one thing, and the emphasis on the mind-body connection, nutrition, and overall well-being aligns perfectly with how I work with clients.”
Nina works with adults facing a wide range of challenges, including depression, anxiety or workplace stress, relationship concerns, and the impact of past trauma. “I especially enjoy working with young adults: they’re eager to grow, incredibly insightful, and they keep me up-to-date on what’s ‘cool’ these days, which I consider a bonus of the job,” she says.
She values a human, down-to-earth approach to therapy. “I’m genuinely curious about people and love getting to know who they are beyond their symptoms or struggles,” she says. “I focus on creating a space where clients feel seen, validated, and understood. Validation is such an important part of healing. And I’m a firm believer that a little bit of (appropriate) humor can go a long way in building trust and helping clients feel comfortable.”
The accessibility and flexibility that Happier Living provides, both for clinicians and for clients is something Nina values. “I also appreciate how effortless collaboration is,” she says. “I can connect with clients’ prescribers quickly, which makes a meaningful difference in their care.” She finds the weekly case consultations with colleagues from across the country, spanning a variety of specialties, both beneficial and supportive. “The continuing education opportunities are great, too. The trainings offered have genuinely enhanced my clinical practice and helped me stay current and confident in my work,” she says.
When Nina isn’t working, she enjoys spending time outside. “Connecting with nature and finding beauty in all things are incredibly vital to my well-being and stress management,” she says. “One of my favorite weekend activities is taking day trips to different botanical gardens and photographing different flowers, plants and landscapes.”
Since moving to Tampa, Florida, five years ago, Nina has maintained a commitment to taking a walk along the bay after work every single day (weather permitting, of course). “I’m borderline obsessed with taking photos of the sunset. Regular sightings of dolphins and manatees are an added bonus. It’s become a small ritual that brings me so much joy and gratitude.”
