Amie Elliott
I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with experience working with people across the lifespan, including children, adolescents, adults, and older adults. I believe therapy should be a place where you feel heard, respected, and able to be yourself without judgment. My approach is warm, practical, and collaborative, and I work with each person to understand what they need and what they hope to change.
First session
My goal is for you to leave that first session with a sense that you’ve been heard, that we have a place to start, and that you can be yourself with me.
Strengths
My approach to therapy is collaborative, person-centered, and practical. I believe you are the expert on your own life, so I want to understand what matters to you and what you hope to get from therapy rather than assuming I already know what you need. From there, we can work together to make sense of what you're experiencing and identify ways to move forward.
Ideal clients
I enjoy working with people who want to explore their patterns, relationships, emotions, values, and experiences and develop a deeper understanding of themselves. We can then work together to decide what, if anything, you want to do differently. I welcome people who are figuring things out, including those who may feel stuck, uncertain, or unsure whether therapy can really help.
Treatment methods
Person-centered (Rogerian)
I use a person-centered, humanistic approach as the foundation of my work. I believe people are more than their problems, diagnoses, or circumstances, and that feeling understood and accepted can be an important part of healing. I start by getting to know each client as a whole person and understanding what is important to them, rather than assuming I already know what they need.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
I incorporate DBT skills when clients are looking for practical ways to manage difficult emotions and navigate challenging situations. Depending on what a client needs, we may work on mindfulness, emotion regulation, distress tolerance, or interpersonal effectiveness. I find these skills particularly helpful for developing more choices in how we respond when emotions are strong or circumstances are difficult.
Internal Family Systems (IFS)
I use IFS to help clients become more curious and compassionate toward the different parts of themselves. We may explore the different thoughts, feelings, reactions, and patterns that show up in different situations and consider what those parts may be trying to communicate or protect. IFS can help clients move away from judging themselves and toward greater self-understanding and compassion.
Acceptance and commitment (ACT)
I use ACT to help clients explore what matters most to them and develop greater flexibility in responding to difficult thoughts and emotions. We may identify personal values, notice patterns that keep them stuck, and explore ways to take meaningful action even when difficult feelings are present. I find ACT especially useful when clients want to better understand who they are and what kind of life they want to build.
Location
Virtual sessions