Cedalia Ellis

(she/her)

LCSW, 10 years of experience
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New to Grow

VirtualAvailable

I believe therapy works best when you feel comfortable being yourself. My goal is to create a supportive, nonjudgmental space where you can talk openly about what you're experiencing and feel genuinely heard. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 18 years of experience in community mental health, I've worked with individuals facing a wide range of challenges, including anxiety, depression, stress, grief, relationship concerns, and major life transitions. My approach is warm, collaborative, and practical. I draw from evidence-based approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Motivational Interviewing to help clients better understand themselves, develop healthy coping strategies, and create meaningful change. Clients often describe me as approachable, down-to-earth, and easy to talk to. I believe you don't have to have everything figured out before starting therapy. Whether you're facing a specific challenge or simply feeling stuck, I'm here to meet you where you are and support you in moving forward.

Get to know me

In our first session together, here's what you can expect

Starting therapy can feel intimidating, but there is no pressure to have everything figured out before we meet. During our first session, we'll spend time getting to know each other, discussing what brought you to therapy, and exploring the goals you'd like to work toward. My goal is to create a comfortable, supportive environment where you feel safe sharing at your own pace. You don't have to tell your entire story in one session. We'll focus on understanding your current challenges, identifying strengths, and beginning to develop a plan that feels realistic and meaningful to you. Most importantly, our first session is an opportunity for us to determine whether we're a good fit and to start building a therapeutic relationship based on trust, collaboration, and respect.

The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions

My approach balances compassion with honesty. I create a supportive space where clients feel heard, understood, and accepted, but I also believe therapy should lead to meaningful growth. While I will hold space for your experiences and emotions, I will gently challenge unhelpful patterns, beliefs, or behaviors that may be keeping you stuck. With over 18 years of experience in community mental health, I have worked with individuals facing a wide range of life challenges and mental health concerns. This experience has taught me that lasting change happens when insight is paired with practical action. My sessions are collaborative, goal-oriented, and focused on helping clients develop tools they can use in their everyday lives. Clients often describe me as warm, approachable, and easy to talk to. My goal is to help you feel supported while also empowering you to make meaningful changes that align with the life you want to live.

The clients I'm best positioned to serve

I work best with adults who are feeling overwhelmed, stuck, anxious, or facing challenges in their relationships or life circumstances. Many of my clients are balancing work, family, school, or other responsibilities while trying to care for themselves along the way. Whether you're navigating a life transition, managing stress, processing difficult experiences, or simply feeling like something needs to change, therapy can provide a space to gain clarity and move forward with confidence. You don't have to have everything figured out before starting therapy. My role is to meet you where you are, help you better understand yourself, and support you in creating meaningful and lasting change.

Specialties

Top specialties

Anxiety

Depression

Life Transitions

Other specialties

Career Counseling

Coping Skills

First Responders/Healthcare Workers

I identify as

Black / African American

Woman

Serves ages

Adults (18 to 64)

Licensed in

Indiana

Accepts

Amerihealth Administrators

Location

Virtual

My treatment methods

Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)

I use CBT as one of the main approaches in my practice to help clients understand how their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors are connected. I have experience using this approach with individuals dealing with anxiety, depression, stress, and major life changes. In sessions, I work alongside clients to identify patterns in their thinking that may be unhelpful or keeping them stuck. From there, we focus on building more balanced ways of thinking and developing practical strategies they can use in everyday life. This often includes coping skills, problem solving, and learning how to respond differently to difficult situations. I tailor CBT to fit each person, making sure it aligns with their goals and what is realistically helpful for them outside of session.

Culturally Sensitive Therapy

I approach therapy with a strong awareness of how culture, identity, and lived experiences shape a person’s perspective and mental health. My work has included supporting individuals from diverse racial, ethnic, and social backgrounds, and I understand the importance of creating a space where clients feel seen, respected, and understood. In practice, I take time to learn what matters most to each client, including their values, family dynamics, community influences, and any experiences with bias or systemic barriers. I am mindful of how these factors can impact stress, relationships, and access to support. I use this understanding to guide how I communicate, build trust, and tailor interventions so they are relevant and meaningful. My goal is to provide care that honors each person’s identity while helping them navigate challenges in a way that feels authentic and empowering to them.

Motivational Interviewing

I use Motivational Interviewing as a collaborative approach to help clients explore their readiness for change and strengthen their own motivation. My experience includes working with individuals who may feel stuck, unsure, or ambivalent about making changes in areas such as mental health, substance use, or life transitions. In sessions, I focus on creating a supportive, nonjudgmental space where clients feel heard and understood. I use open-ended questions, reflective listening, and affirmations to help clients identify their own goals, values, and reasons for change. Rather than directing, I guide clients in building confidence and recognizing their ability to take meaningful steps forward. I tailor this approach to each person, meeting them where they are and helping them move at a pace that feels realistic and sustainable.

Person-centered (Rogerian)

I use a person-centered approach as a foundation in my work, focusing on creating a space where clients feel safe, heard, and genuinely understood. My experience includes working with individuals navigating stress, life transitions, and emotional challenges, where building trust and connection is essential. In sessions, I lead with empathy, active listening, and a nonjudgmental presence. I believe clients are the experts of their own lives, so I support them in exploring their thoughts and feelings at their own pace. I focus on helping clients gain clarity, strengthen self-awareness, and build confidence in their ability to make decisions that align with who they are. I tailor this approach to each client, ensuring they feel respected and supported while also gently guiding them toward growth and meaningful change.

New to Grow
This provider hasn’t received any written reviews yet. We started collecting written reviews January 1, 2025.