Cynthia Piccini Transforms Mental Health with Breathe Easy Therapy
Cynthia Piccini has dedicated her life to reshaping mental health care through her organization, Breathe Easy Therapy Services. This multidisciplinary center, located in New York, emphasizes a holistic approach to mental well-being, integrating therapy with practices like yoga and mindfulness. Piccini’s journey to this pivotal role began with formative experiences in her childhood and was further shaped by personal challenges.
Growing up in urban New York, Cynthia found solace in an unexpected place—a neighbor’s garden. Despite the gruff demeanor of the garden’s owner, Cynthia’s persistent interest in his flowers led to a unique bond. “He didn’t like people, didn’t like kids,” she recalls. “But every day, I would ask if I could just look at his flowers.” This early connection to nature and empathy became a foundation for her future endeavors in mental health.
At the age of 21, Cynthia’s life took a dramatic turn when her mother suffered a debilitating stroke. The experience of witnessing her family’s struggle with trauma deepened her understanding of the complexities of mental health. “Watching our community rally around us made me realize that nature was not enough. People carry deep trauma. We also need each other,” she reflects. This realization prompted her to forgo plans of teaching English abroad and instead focus on caring for her family while nurturing her own emotional growth.
Cynthia returned to school and funded her education independently after years of juggling multiple jobs. “I had multiple jobs since I was 11 or 12,” she explains. “I knew I needed to be part of the solution.” Her personal struggles fueled a passion for therapy, particularly in addressing the shortcomings of traditional mental health systems. “I didn’t want to join a big hospital or agency where I would be restricted by red tape and insurance loopholes. I wanted to create something different, something human,” she states.
Breathe Easy embodies this vision. The name reflects Cynthia’s emphasis on breathwork and trauma-informed care. “When you are dysregulated, the breath is your power. It’s something you always have access to,” she emphasizes. Starting with just her own efforts and her husband’s support, Breathe Easy has evolved into a comprehensive center, incorporating therapists, yoga instructors, and mindfulness educators, as well as unique facilities like a salt cave aimed at promoting holistic healing.
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), one in five adults in the U.S. experiences mental illness each year, yet many do not receive the necessary treatment. Cynthia believes that outdated perceptions of therapy contribute to this gap. “People think you have to be broken to go to therapy. But therapy is like going to the gym; it’s for your mind. It’s about growth, not crisis,” she explains.
Breathe Easy offers a variety of programs designed to challenge conventional notions of therapy. Participants can engage in premarital workshops, senior yoga classes, or a children’s group called “Little People Big Emotions,” which helps kids express their feelings. “It’s not just about talking,” Cynthia asserts. “It’s about living. It’s about touching your partner during couples yoga and realizing you have not done that in years. That’s therapy, too.”
The team at Breathe Easy reflects Cynthia’s commitment to quality care. “Hiring people who are truly passionate about healing was non-negotiable,” she states. Her staff includes a yoga instructor trained in India, Bali, and Malaysia, as well as a breathwork specialist who teaches trauma-informed techniques. The center also features a highly qualified massage therapist and an esthetician, ensuring that clients receive comprehensive support.
Cynthia’s dedication to mental health is deeply personal. Both of her parents now face disabilities—her mother from a stroke and her father from Parkinson’s disease. She and her sisters have spent nearly two decades supporting them while Cynthia balances the demands of motherhood and business ownership. “It has not been easy,” she admits, “but it’s shown me the value of resilience, love, and having a community to hold you.”
Cynthia Piccini’s message through Breathe Easy is clear: “You don’t need to wait for a crisis to take care of yourself. You deserve to feel good now.” Her commitment to redefining mental health care continues to influence those around her, fostering environments where healing can occur in various forms. As Breathe Easy expands its reach, Cynthia remains focused on creating spaces where individuals can thrive, encouraging a more compassionate and understanding approach to mental health.
