- CBT techniques
- DBT skills
- Somatic awareness
About Elena
Elena Wash is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in California with 10 years of professional experience. She supports people dealing with stress, anxiety, depression, career concerns, and anger. She also addresses compassion fatigue, addictions, and the practical strain of chronic illness and pain.
Elena prefers a direct, practical style. She treats sessions as a place to name what is happening, try clear tools, and notice what helps. She frames clients as the experts of their own lives and checks in about what feels useful each week.
Her work often combines thinking-feeling strategies and body-focused techniques. She draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to spot unhelpful thoughts and DBT to build manageable coping skills. Somatic approaches are used when physical tension or chronic pain shows up alongside emotions.
Elena also uses Solution-Focused ideas to set concrete goals and Internal Family Systems to help people understand inner conflicts and parts that drive anger or avoidance. Sessions aim to make change feel practical and doable rather than abstract.
She is comfortable talking through issues like control struggles, guilt and shame, isolation, and questions about life purpose. Her approach suits someone who wants straightforward tools, concrete steps, and a collaborative conversation about what works next for their temper, stress, or mood.
Therapeutic approaches and how online sessions are used
Elena works with approaches that translate well to online conversations and practical skill-building. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and testing small behavior changes; it is useful for anxiety, depression, and anger that stems from automatic thinking. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) teaches concrete coping skills like distress tolerance and emotion regulation so someone can respond differently in charged moments. Solution-Focused Therapy centers on setting short-term, achievable goals and noticing small changes that add up.Choosing the right approach is part of the work. Elena treats this as a collaborative decision. She will listen to the client's goals and try methods that fit their situation, checking in regularly and adapting the plan when something isn’t working.
The original biography did not list which session formats are offered, so confirm current options before booking. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy life, for example by avoiding travel time or allowing shorter check-ins during a work break. Video sessions let the therapist and client work with body-based observations when somatic techniques are used. Phone sessions can be helpful when bandwidth is limited or when a quieter, lower-visual format is preferred. Overall the aim is to make sessions practical and usable within everyday routines rather than adding more hassle.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
10+ years
Listed in
California
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns does she address?
She works with stress, anxiety, depression, anger, addictions, compassion fatigue, and related life changes such as chronic illness and career strain.
How would you describe her therapeutic style?
Her style is practical and collaborative, focusing on clear tools, weekly check-ins, and deciding together what methods to try.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has ten years of professional experience supporting people with mood, stress, and adjustment challenges.
What are her credentials and where is she based?
She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker - LCSW - licensed in California.
Can sessions be conducted in other languages or with international clients?
Sessions are offered in English. International clients are not currently accepted.
What session formats are offered?
The original biography does not specify session formats; please confirm current session options before booking.
How are fees and payment handled?
Cost varies by location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
What do I need to do to begin?
Choose the See online therapy options button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and schedule your first session.