Services: Assessment, Individual Therapy, Group Therapy, Training/Workshops/Seminars

All clients must have an initial assessment prior to becoming a client. During the initial assessment, information is gathered about presenting issues, personal history, general health and previous mental health services. Clients are asked to complete opening paperwork (see Forms). Appointments are generally scheduled from 50 – 90 minutes depending on the issue (the time will be determined during the initial phone contact). Information is gathered in order to determine what services are needed, including adjunct services. She provides clients with treatment recommendations and assists clients with identifying goals. You are welcome to attend an initial assessment just to determine if therapy would be right for you or to assess for an addiction. To learn more about her style of therapy go to, Elana’s Bio.

After receiving an initial assessment, Elana may recommend individual, couples or group therapy. The severity of the issue and the level of need determine the course of treatment. Typically, she will see an individual once a week. However, there may be a recommendation to increase sessions weekly depending on the presenting issue. Individual sessions last approximately 45 – 50 minutes.

Individual sessions provide a client the ability to speak openly about fears and anxieties. And have an opportunity to gain insight, learn new skills and obtain goals.

For couples who are struggling in their relationship, I provide the support and education necessary to improve communication. Having a therapist present--mediating, clarifying and supporting--can help both partners understand what the other is going through in even the most uncertain relationship situations. I teach couples the specific skills required for healthy conversations and provide a safe environment in which both individuals can be heard.

Couples therapy involves learning how to communicate effectively and listen more closely. Couples learn how to stop competing with each other and how to share responsibility within their relationship. It’s my mission to help increase clarity, so my clients leave therapy with a better understanding of themselves and their partner, no matter the outcome.

According to R.M. Wills (2001), research outcomes on couples counseling suggests the following:
- At the end of couple’s therapy, 75% of couples receiving therapy are better off than similar couples who did not receive therapy.
- Sixty five percent of couples report "significant" improvement based on averaged scores of marital "satisfaction."
- Most couples will benefit from therapy, but both spouses will not necessarily experience the same outcomes or benefits.
- Therapies that produce the greatest gain, and are able to maintain that gain over the long amount of time, tend to affect the couple's emotional bonds and help the spouses work together to achieve a greater level of "differentiation" or emotional maturity.*
*Wills, R.M (2001), Effectiveness of therapy. Available at http://www.marriagetherapy.org/dssbhmarriage127.html.

It is strongly recommended to receive individual therapy while attending a therapy group to enhance your group experience. Group therapy allows clients to take skills they have learned in individual sessions and apply them with group members. Evidence has shown that individuals are more likely to change through having experiences with others.

Attending a group allows clients to learn and practice speaking honestly with one another. Clients are able to increase self-mastery by practicing effective communication skills with other members while being faced with managing emotion. Group members are able to develop confidence to be authentic with others and develop and maintain relationships. In addition, group is a supportive space where a member can feel safe.

Elana offers time-limited and ongoing groups (see below). Elana invites clients who are interested in joining a group to phone her and schedule an initial interview to determine the best fit. An initial interview is 45-50 minutes and there is a fee

Openings in the Following Groups:
(1 year of sobriety suggested)

Learn More About Group Psychotherapy:
http://www.agpa.org/
http://www.lagps.org
http://www.gpasc.org/

Elana conducts annual workshops on various topics to support the community and enrich lives. To learn more about her annual workshops, please visit her Blog or sign up for her Newsletter (see below). She also can conduct trainings, seminars or workshops for outside agencies and organizations. Feel free to contact Elana directly for more information.