Hello, and welcome! I am Elena, a trilingual Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) from Atlanta, Georgia, and have been practicing since 2013. I have a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice and a Master of Science degree in Clinical Counseling Psychology. For the past decade I had the privilege to work with incarcerated teens (and on probation) helping them approach problematic behaviors and improving these by avoiding future incarcerations. I serve pre-teens/adolescents 12-17 years old and young adults ages 18-21 by assisting them solve issues they cannot readily solve themselves. During our sessions we address issues such as depression, post-traumatic stress, family conflict, relationship, and anger management, among many other issues that led to delinquency. My specialty is treating individuals with difficulties effectively communicating their needs within their relationships with parents, siblings, relatives, friends, etc., with an emphasis on assertiveness training for building and nurturing long-lasting interpersonal relationships. There is no one size fits all approach to therapy, so I like to tailor my approach to fit my client's unique needs. Here are a few of the clinical theories I use to guide my practice: Reality Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Solution Focused Brief Treatment, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
In our first session we will start with introductions, reviewing limits of confidentiality, consents, and boundaries. Next, the clients will introduce themselves by giving a narrative of life experience, with emphasis on what is bothering them, what they would like to focus on, and to change. We will then work together to create a treatment plan to address the main issues causing stress. The parent's input pertaining treatment is necessary if the client is a minor.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
I am a great listener, supporter, motivator and life coach that will guide the clients on their journey (will also hold client accountable). I provide a safe, non-judgmental environment for the clients to openly talk about their feelings and goals. I focus on identifying unhelpful thoughts that may lead to emotional distress and healthy coping strategies. I explore how trauma may have shaped the client's interpretation of events.
About Elena Banciu
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VirtualMy treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I use CBT interventions for motivating clients to practice daily self-talk and to take appropriate actions for improving their mood. CBT is based on the idea that negative thinking is a habit that can be broken. It helps people learn to recognize and challenge unhelpful thoughts, and to think in a less negative way about themselves and their life.
Motivational Interviewing
I use Motivational Interviewing (MI), a conversational approach to help clients make changes by empowering them to discover their own motivation to change. MI encourages clients to talk themselves into making beneficial changes in their lives and confront their ambivalence. MI helps clients take responsibility for their actions and develop plans for change. It builds confidence and help improve decision making. MI is a curious style of communication that sits between following and directing. It is based on the idea that there is no single "right way" to change, and that clients are best able to decide how to achieve their goals.
Reality Therapy
I use reality therapy in my practice to help people identify and fulfill their needs, and to make responsible decisions that improve their lives. Reality therapy is a type of talk therapy that helps people identify needs, set goals, make responsible decisions, improve relationships, accept responsibility, and change their perspectives. Reality therapy is based on choice theory which emphasizes that people cannot control (or change) others, and all they can control is themselves and their own behaviors. Because behaviors are choices, psychological symptoms are a result of people choosing behaviors to fulfill their needs. Since reality therapy emphasizes accountability, it was proven to be particularly helpful for youth presenting with problematic behaviors, and adults struggling with addiction. Not only does it help them recognize the negative impacts that it has had on their lives in the past, but it has also been shown to increase feelings of hope.
Solution Focused Brief Treatment
I use Solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT) which is a strength-based approach to psychotherapy that focuses on solution-building rather than problem-solving. Unlike other forms of psychotherapy that analyze present problems and past causes, SFBT concentrates on current circumstances and future hopes. I help the client envision a desirable future, and then map out the small and large changes necessary for the client to undergo to realize their vision. I encourage the client to build on its strengths rather than dwell on its problems or limitations.