- DBT and CBT skills
- Mindfulness practice
- Communication coaching
About Ilene
Ilene Vallance, LMSW, is a Licensed Master Social Worker in Michigan with 32 years of clinical experience. She works with adults who face stress, anxiety, relationship strain, low self-esteem, depression, grief, parenting challenges, and anger. Ilene uses practical skills to help people manage feelings and handle day-to-day pressures.
She has worked in both public and private mental health settings for decades. That background informs a straightforward approach that focuses on skills people can use between sessions. Her stated style is relaxed, nonjudgmental, and validating, with attention to communication and conflict resolution.
Ilene draws on several well-known methods, including cognitive behavioral techniques, dialectical behavior strategies, acceptance and commitment ideas, client-centered care, and mindfulness. She often teaches concrete tools for managing intense feelings, improving communication, and coping with change.
Sessions emphasize clear goals and practical steps. She can help with anger that shows up at home or work, resentment that builds over time, and difficulty sleeping tied to stress. Ilene also supports people dealing with trauma, chronic illness, caregiver strain, or career shifts.
Her senior-level experience includes work on issues such as abandonment, attachment difficulties, codependency, blended family stress, and decision-making around caregiving. People looking for a steady, experienced clinician who focuses on skill-building and real-world strategies may find her style accessible.
How her approaches translate to online work
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) focuses on noticing thoughts and values-based action. It helps people live with difficult feelings while making choices that match what matters to them. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at how thoughts, feelings, and behaviors interact and teaches practical skills to change unhelpful patterns. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) offers concrete emotion regulation and distress-tolerance tools for intense states and relationship skills.Deciding which approach fits best is part of the work together. She will discuss your goals and preferences and try methods that suit your situation. The therapist and client make adjustments based on what helps the most in real life.
The original biography did not list specific online session formats. Please confirm current session options before booking so you know whether video, phone, or another format is used. Online work can make fitting sessions into a busy week easier, reduce commute time, and allow for shorter check-ins when schedules are tight. It also lets people practice skills in everyday settings and bring real-life examples into sessions without promising a particular format.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
32+ years
Listed in
Michigan
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of anger-related problems does she address?
She helps with temper outbursts, buildup of resentment, frustration at work, and coping with someone else’s anger. Anger is listed among her areas of focus.
How would she describe her therapeutic style?
Her style is relaxed, nonjudgmental, and validating. She emphasizes practical skills and clear steps people can use between sessions.
How much experience does she bring?
She has 32 years of experience providing mental health services in both public and private settings. That background shapes a skills-focused approach.
What are her credentials and where does she practice?
She holds the LMSW credential and practices in Michigan. Memberships in professional bodies were noted in her original biography.
Can I work with her if I live outside the United States?
Sessions are offered in English and she does not accept international clients at this time.
Which session formats are offered?
The original biography did not specify session formats. Please confirm current session options before booking.
How are sessions paid for?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time. Specific rates were not detailed in the biography.
What are the first steps to start working together?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session. That sequence starts the intake process.