LCSW, 11 years of experience
Welcome I’m Ellen Johnson, LCSW, a therapist who works with adults who have insight—but still feel caught in old emotional patterns. You may understand the “why” behind your reactions and still find it hard to do something different when it matters most. My work is grounded in curiosity, not judgment. Together, we explore what drives your responses, what safety means to you, and how to create lasting change that doesn’t depend on willpower alone. You don’t have to start with confidence—just with willingness.
Therapy with me is collaborative and structured enough to create momentum—but flexible enough to meet what’s real in the moment. We start with awareness—what’s happening in your body, thoughts, and relationships—then practice new ways of responding that align with your values and capacity. Over time, clients often describe fewer emotional spikes, more predictability in their moods, and a clearer sense of what steadiness feels like.
What stands out about my work is my ability to help clients slow down enough to notice what’s happening in real time—emotionally, physically, and relationally—and to begin responding to those moments differently. I don’t push quick action. Change happens through awareness that becomes embodied—by recognizing what your body is doing in moments of stress or disconnection, and experimenting gently with new ways of engaging. My approach integrates nervous-system awareness, attachment theory, and trauma-informed methods. I draw from modalities such as EMDR (when appropriate) and Sensorimotor Psychotherapy (in training) to support self-understanding, regulation, and the gradual, sustainable shifts that lead to real change. Clients often describe feeling less reactive, more at ease in their bodies, and better able to choose how they respond instead of feeling controlled by old patterns.
I work well with adults who want to understand themselves and their reactions more clearly. My clients are often thoughtful, capable people who find themselves stuck in patterns they can’t seem to change — reacting before they mean to, overthinking, or feeling like they should be handling things better than they are. They come to therapy wanting a clearer sense of what’s driving those reactions and a more effective way to respond. My work focuses on helping people connect awareness with action — noticing what’s really happening inside, understanding why, and finding steadier ways to move through it. I tend to be a good fit for clients who value direct, honest conversation and a realistic approach to growth. Many of the people I work with describe reacting quickly and then feeling regret or shame afterward. They find themselves caught in the same communication loops or relationship patterns, even when they understand what’s happening. Some feel easily overwhelmed by emotion, while others notice they tend to shut down and disconnect. For some, therapy becomes a space to navigate the challenges of co-parenting or blended-family dynamics, or to process the effects of trauma, loss, or chronic stress. Others come wanting to better understand themselves as neurodivergent adults, or to build a relationship with themselves that feels less critical and more steady.
I’m trained in EMDR and use it when it’s the best fit—often for specific trauma memories or “stuck points” that haven’t shifted with talk therapy. We prepare first (stabilization, coping tools, clear targets). Then we process in paced sets with bilateral stimulation. You don’t have to retell every detail; we work within your window of tolerance and close with grounding. We track change in plain terms: less emotional charge, fewer intrusions/avoidance, and more room to respond how you want in daily life.
I use an attachment lens to understand how safety, closeness, and protection show up in your everyday life. We pinpoint the moments that trigger pursue/withdraw cycles, link them to past learning, and practice secure behaviors you can keep—clear requests, paced contact, repair after conflict, and keepable boundaries. Progress is measured in real terms: fewer flare-ups or shutdowns, faster repairs, and more steadiness when things are uncertain.
In CBT, we focus on what you’re thinking, feeling and doing right now—especially in the moments when your reaction surprises you or trips you up. We’ll work together to spot unhelpful thinking patterns, try more realistic or helpful ones, and test actions that shift how you feel and behave. The goal: fewer disruptive reactions, more clarity in your responses, and real-life practical change.
I work with an awareness of how past experiences can shape safety, trust, and emotional regulation in the present. Trauma-informed care means paying attention to the body’s cues, pacing the work so it feels manageable, and making sure therapy stays collaborative and predictable. We don’t start by diving into painful memories—we build stability first. When you feel ready, we can look at how old patterns of protection or avoidance show up now and begin to replace them with responses that fit who you are today. The focus is on helping you feel more in control, more connected, and more capable of handling what comes up in daily life.
My approach is eclectic, meaning the direction of therapy depends on what’s most useful at a given time. Sometimes that’s reflection and insight; other times it’s planning, rehearsal, or grounding. I draw from relational, strengths-focused, and emotion-focused work to stay flexible and responsive. Together we decide what’s needed—clarity, relief, or action—and adjust the pace accordingly. The goal is practical change that feels doable in your real life, not strict adherence to one model.