Hi! It’s nice to meet you, and I’m glad you’re considering therapy. My name is Elisa and I’m a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who values authenticity, strong rapport, and a compassionate, collaborative approach to therapy. I bring experience working across school-based, residential, and outpatient settings, which has shaped a flexible, grounded style that allows me to meet clients where they are in their healing process. I focus on creating a space that feels warm, supportive, and nonjudgmental from the very beginning. My goal is to help you build confidence, better understand your emotions, and feel supported as you move toward meaningful change at a pace that feels right for you.
In our first session together, here's what you can expect
Our first session is focused on getting to know each other and creating a foundation of safety and trust. I’ll take time to understand your background, what’s been bringing you to therapy, and what you’re hoping to work toward. We’ll also talk about what has or hasn’t been helpful for you in the past, so I can tailor my approach to what works best for you. There’s no pressure to share everything at once, we’ll move at a pace that feels comfortable and supportive. From there, we’ll begin shaping a path forward together in a way that feels thoughtful, collaborative, and aligned with your goals.
The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions
One of my greatest strengths is my ability to build strong, trusting therapeutic relationships that help clients feel safe, understood, and supported. I take a relational approach that emphasizes normalization and reducing shame, helping clients better understand and name their emotions without judgment. I balance warmth and connection with honesty and gentle accountability, while supporting clients in identifying patterns, strengthening self worth, and developing practical tools for emotional regulation and real life change. Clients often report feeling more confident, grounded, and empowered as they gain clarity and skills they can apply beyond sessions.
The clients I'm best positioned to serve
I work best with individuals who are open to self reflection and interested in making meaningful changes, even if they’re not sure where to start. Many of my clients feel anxious, self critical, or stuck in patterns that no longer serve them, and are seeking greater confidence, emotional balance, and a stronger sense of self. I often support clients in strengthening relationships, advocating for their needs, and breaking unhelpful patterns through a supportive, collaborative approach that gently encourages accountability using practical tools, insight, and skill building that can be applied outside of sessions.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I use CBT to help clients understand how their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors are connected, and how shifting unhelpful patterns can reduce distress. My approach is practical and collaborative, focusing on identifying negative thought patterns, building coping skills, and making realistic changes that support emotional regulation and improved well-being. CBT is used flexibly and tailored to each client’s goals and needs.
Attachment-based
I use an attachment-based approach to explore how early relationships shape emotional needs, self-worth, and patterns of connection. Together, we look at how these attachment patterns developed and how they may show up in current relationships, emotional responses, and ways of coping. Through increased awareness and a consistent therapeutic relationship, clients often develop greater emotional security, flexibility, and more fulfilling ways of relating to themselves and others.
Relational
I use a relational approach that focuses on understanding how relationship patterns develop and repeat over time. The therapeutic relationship becomes a space to explore these dynamics in real time, helping you gain insight and practice new ways of relating with greater clarity and confidence.
Trauma Informed Care
I work in a trauma informed way by paying close attention to your comfort, boundaries, and sense of safety in therapy. I’m thoughtful about pacing, collaboration, and building trust, especially when discussing difficult experiences. My goal is to help you feel more grounded, supported, and confident as we work together.