Elan Litenatsky
I'm a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with over eight years of experience working with teens and adults struggling with OCD, anxiety, trauma, addiction, and other challenges. I specialize in approaches such as ERP, EMDR, and Flash Technique, but I don't believe therapy should be one-size-fits-all.
Therapy should challenge you, not just comfort you.
My focus is on understanding what's happening, identifying what's keeping you stuck, and developing a practical plan that works for you.
First session
Our first session is about understanding what brought you to therapy, what you've been struggling with, and what you want to change. I'll ask questions, we'll explore what's been keeping you stuck, and start putting together a game plan tailored to your needs. My goal is for you to leave that first session with more than just an opportunity to talk. I want you to walk away with some clarity, a sense of direction, and practical next steps we can build on together.
Strengths
My approach is direct, honest, and collaborative. I'm not here to simply nod along, agree with everything you say, or tell you what you want to hear. I'll listen, but I'll also challenge your thinking, question assumptions, and help you recognize patterns you might not see yourself. That doesn't mean dismissing your feelings or experiences, but understanding that validation alone doesn't always lead to change. Sometimes growth requires being uncomfortable, questioning what we believe, and being willing to do things differently. My job is to help you get there, not just make you feel better for an hour.
Ideal clients
I work best with teens and adults who are tired of feeling stuck in the same patterns. Whether you're dealing with OCD, anxiety, trauma, addiction, or relationship struggles, my approach focuses on understanding what's happening, challenging what isn't working, and finding practical ways to move forward. If you're looking for honest conversations, useful tools, and a therapist who isn't afraid to challenge you when needed, we'll likely be a good fit.
Treatment methods
EMDR
Sometimes, even when an experience is long behind us, the emotional impact stays. I use EMDR to help clients work through memories that continue to trigger fear, shame, anxiety, or other difficult reactions. We don't jump straight into the painful stuff. First, we make sure you have the tools to manage what comes up, and then we work through those experiences at a pace that makes sense for you. Trauma work isn't a race.
Trauma-Focused CBT
Trauma can change how we see ourselves, other people, and the world around us. Through Trauma-Focused CBT, I help clients examine the beliefs and behaviors they've developed because of those experiences, challenge conclusions that may no longer serve them, and build healthier ways of responding. We don't ignore what happened or pretend it didn't matter. We work to understand its impact and help you regain control over how it affects your life today.
Exposure Response Prevention (ERP)
OCD has a way of convincing you that the only way to feel better is to perform another compulsion, seek more reassurance, or avoid something uncomfortable. ERP is about breaking that cycle. Together, we'll identify what keeps your OCD going and gradually challenge those patterns through real-world exercises. The goal isn't to eliminate intrusive thoughts or uncertainty, but to change how you respond to them so OCD stops making your decisions for you.
Grief Therapy
Grief isn't something you can simply think your way out of, and there's no universal timeline for getting through it. Whether you're dealing with death, separation, or another significant loss, we'll explore what that loss means to you and how it's affecting your life. I'm not here to tell you to move on or find a silver lining. I'm here to help you work through the difficult emotions and find a way forward without dismissing what you've lost.
Mindfulness-Based Therapy
Mindfulness isn't about clearing your mind, forcing yourself to relax, or pretending everything is fine. I use mindfulness techniques to help clients recognize what they're thinking and feeling without immediately reacting to it. Through grounding exercises, attention training, and other practical techniques, we work on creating space between a thought and your response. You can't always control what enters your mind, but you can learn to change what you do with it.
Location
Virtual sessions
Identifies as
Top specialties
Other specialties
Doesn't specialize in
Licensed in
- CaliforniaLicense 161199
- MarylandLicense LCM1226