Very Good Counseling

Typically clients sign up for services through my website. I often field questions through email, text, or phone calls. The next step would be me sending you the consent forms, us discussing scheduling, and solidifying a payment plan. The first meeting is an assement for both of us. I want to make sure this is the right fit and you feel comfortable and ready to talk about why your coming to therapy. After then we will determine together the course and frequency of your appointments. Most common approach is to begin with weekly therapy sessions until an it's agreed to change.

Hi there! My name is Elena and I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC). I studied at Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, OK where I received my Masters of Counseling degree. In my twelve years of experience, I gathered a diverse experience working with adults, young adults, teenagers, and their families in a juvenile detention center, an in-patient mental health hospital, a psychiatric residential campus, an outpatient office, a college campus, a private practice, in client’s homes and schools, and online. I have provided individual and family counseling services to kids, teens and adults struggling with severe mental health and behavioral concerns as well as struggling with life’s overwhelming obstacles. I'm experienced in working with people who are living with anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, and relationship/family dynamic issues.

I have been trained in many techniques and methods such as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Parent Management Training (PMTO).

After finishing my dual internship at juvenile correctional facility and private practice in 2011. I have been growing and gaining valuable skills to better serve my clients and make the therapeutics process one that leads the client to becoming self sufficient. My goal with therapy is not to see you forever but, to focus weekly treatment in ways to make sure the client learns the skills, patterns, and is able to heal from there past.

I have provided individual and family counseling services to kids, teens and adults struggling with severe mental health and behavioral concerns as well as struggling with life’s overwhelming obstacles. I'm experienced in working with people who are living with anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, and relationship/family dynamic issues.

Help after Hurricane Ian

Recent Traumatic Events like Hurricane Ian can leave a community feeling helpless and paralyzed by the natural disaster they have lived through. We struggle to find support for our needs and we are trying to grasp the gravity of the damages and how we will move forward. People are concerned with the businesses and livelihood, there are impacts on the economy, food and water security, finding shelter, and many other basic needs. There are also common effects that linger after a natural disaster with mental health. Between 15-75 percent of people who experience a natural disaster later develop PTSD.1

We specialize in treatment of persons whom have experienced recent traumatic events. These specialized processes can help an individual have less sadness, grief, guilt, fear, anxiety, and depression around these events. With the recent Hurricane Ian that has battered our coast and state and left many dealing with overwhelming loss we want to be a resource for Mental Health Recovery after this tragedy has impacted the SWFL community and beyond. This therapeutic technique is called EMDR therapy. It is a trauma therapy developed, tested, and extensively researched for its process and positive therapeutic effect in treating and helping people to move beyond these traumatic events.

It may take some deliberation before you decide you’re ready for therapy. You might want to wait and see if time, lifestyle changes, or the support of friends and family improves whatever you’re struggling with.

The (APA) American Psychological Association suggests you consider a time to see a therapist when something causes distress and interferes with some part of life, particularly when:

• Thinking about or coping with the issue takes up at least an hour each day

• The issue causes embarrassment or makes you want to avoid others

• The issue has caused your quality of life to decrease

• The issue has negatively affected school, work, or relationships

• You’ve made changes in your life or developed habits to cope with the issue

If you experience any of the following emotions or feelings to the extent that they interfere with life, therapy may help you reduce their effects. It’s especially important to consider it’s time to see a therapist if you feel controlled by symptoms or if they could cause harm to yourself or others.

Therapy is an investment of your time and money. It will take work in order to change and heal. Make sure to ask yourself if you are willing and ready to make those changes?