Hello! My name is Elisa Holtman. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) based in Illinois. I received my Masters from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. I have been primarily providing therapy in schools for the past 14 years and have been a Social Worker for 22 years. I have worked with children as young as 3 and adults in their nineties. For the last 11 years, I have been working with 11-14 year old children/teens.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
In our first session, we will work on getting to know each other and discuss what specific challenges you are dealing with and experiencing. This information will help guide our future sessions and create a focus for therapy.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
I have found that understanding the child/teen as a whole person is key to being able to identify their challenges and goals. I fully listen to the individual showing empathy and kindness to validate their concerns. I focus on their strengths and how they can use their strengths to help overcome their challenges and achieve their goals.
About Elisa Holtman
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VirtualMy treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) often with my clients as it helps them recognize negative thought patterns and learn how to challenge those negative thoughts. It helps them recognize how their thoughts, feelings and behaviors influence each other. Using these concepts help them be able to make positive changes in their daily lives.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) is similar to CBT, but focuses in depth on managing and regulating one's emotions. I use DBT with my clients as it helps them recognize the reality of their emotions and behaviors. It helps them figure out how they can change their behaviors to help improve their management of their emotions.
Strength-Based
Using the Strength-Based approach in therapy helps clients focus on their strengths and look at themselves as a survivor versus a victim. It involves them examining their strengths and positive attributes, goal setting, learning what resources they have, and how to make meaningful positive choices. I like using this method to truly understand my clients and help them understand themselves.