Dr. Ellie Gottstein
Hello! My name is Dr. Ellie Gottstein, and I am a licensed clinical psychologist (PsyD) with over seven years of experience in the field. I have worked in a variety of settings, including private practice, college counseling centers, and medical facilities.
My primary clinical interests include anxiety disorders, depression, stress management, perfectionism, and motivational difficulties.
I grew up as a competitive figure skater and dancer and hold the identity of "athlete" close to my heart. This translates into a goal-oriented mindset for myself and my clients, which is useful when tackling some of life's most significant challenges. My primary clinical interests include anxiety disorders, depression, stress management, perfectionism, and motivational difficulties.
First session
In our first session, I will ask you about who you are, what makes you unique, and what you want to work on in therapy. I will delve deeper into who you are, what you would like to change in your life, and why you are seeking treatment. We will collaboratively set goals and create a plan to help you reach them. I often describe a first session's feelings similarly to a first date: I am getting to know you, but you are also getting to know me and my style.
Strengths
I believe it's essential to see each client as an individual and strive to customize a treatment plan that makes sense for who you are rather than a collection of symptoms you are experiencing. You may be coming in for symptom relief, but you are not your symptoms. The therapeutic relationship is one of the most helpful mechanisms of change, and I strive to create a strong foundation of trust and understanding so we can walk through the journey of change together.
Ideal clients
We will be a great match if you want to actively participate in change and work toward living a fulfilling life. I love working with clients who enjoy humor, direct communication mixed with empathy, and taking an active role in their treatment with me as a guide. I believe in the importance of a collaborative approach to clinical work, considering the whole person and highlighting individual differences.
Treatment methods
Acceptance and commitment (ACT)
I have extensive training in using ACT therapy to help clients overcome life's challenges and stressors by accepting their unchangeable components and refocusing on living their most fulfilling lives. This often looks like exploring values and finding ways to live life in a way that honors those most important values.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
CBT is the gold standard of evidence-based treatment for overcoming some of life's most common challenges. We will use CBT to help you understand the relationship between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and make these components work for you instead of against you.
Interpersonal
Much of the therapeutic experience centers around the therapeutic relationship and how individuals create interpersonal patterns and dynamics, some of which can be maladaptive and harmful. Through interpersonal processes, we work to disrupt these patterns and create a more healthy way of relating to others.
Motivational Interviewing
Motivational Interviewing is a specialty technique that focuses on helping clients discover their own desires, wants, and needs relating to taking control of their lives and making change. Change is difficult for most of us, and sometimes we need a little extra support or illuminate for the "why" behind the hard work we are doing to create change.
Location
Virtual sessions
Identifies as
Top specialties
Other specialties
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Licensed in
- North CarolinaLicense 6669
- VirginiaLicense 0810008489