Hi my name is Peter Ellew and I am a Licensed Clinical Professional counselor in the state of Illinois with over 20 years of experience. I specialize in individual and couples therapy in which I help the individual or individuals reach their desired goals. I feel I am a very compassionate and encouraging therapist who feels that therapy should be a collaborative effort to help the client get a better understanding of themselves and how they can begin to believe that they do have the resources and strengths to begin to resolve their issues and eventually reach their desired destination
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
In our first session I think it is very important to help the patient feel at ease to begin to build a rapport with the client. Informing the client what types of therapy, I utilize to help him or her become the best versions of themselves. I ask them if they have any questions, they would want to ask me.? I spend most of the first session just listening to the client putting myself in their shoes and to start to get a better understanding of their situation and I want the patient to feel understood. After that I would then ask the client what their best hopes are for therapy and on a scale of 1 to 10 ( 10 being where they would want to be) what number would they put themselves on the scale at this moment. I would also use a depression and anxiety scale. To get a better understanding the level of their mood.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
Having worked with clients over a long period of time I feel my greatest strengths are making the client feel he or she is understood and that thru a collaborative effort that it is the patient that has the resources and strengths within themselves to make their desired changes in their lives. I am there to guide, encourage while helping the patient educate themselves and start applying those changes to their lives. Another very important aspect I feel I possess as a therapist is that of instilling hope that even in their darkest days there is always light at the end of the tunnel and that thru guidance and persistence a person can overcome obstacles while becoming a stronger and healthier individual.
About Peter Ellew
Specializes in
Serves ages
Licensed in
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Appointments
VirtualMy treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
Very effective method for people struggling with anxiety and depression focusing and challenging those irrational thoughts that trigger feelings and behaviors while replacing them with more rational useful thoughts. By incorporating CBT techniques with inner child and attachment based approaches one can learn not only learn the root of their anxiety and depression but also will be able to change the way they think about their past and learn healthier ways of managing their thoughts and feelings.
Acceptance and commitment (ACT)
My patients learn to accept their inner emotions and hardships and commit to making necessary changes in their behavior regardless of what is going on in their lives and how they feel about it.
Attachment-based
Attachment based therapy in conjunction with inner child work help the patient look at the relationship they had within their family system and how it is currently effecting their present life. By identifying the attachment type as a child to the important care giver the patient becomes aware of his or her attachment style and can start to make the connection between his or her current relationships and those in their childhood. Thru therapy the client can begin to develop a more secure type of attachment to others.
Gottman method
This is the main method I use when counseling couples and have found it very effective over my years of being a therapist. The general goals are to improve communication, intimacy and mutual respect by focusing on a 7 step process that over time helps couples develop healthier and happy relationship. From enhancing " Love maps" nurturing their fondness and admiration; turning toward each other instead of away ; solving their solvable problems while creating a shared sense of meaning.