Elena (she/they)
Hi, my name is Elena and I am excited to be part of Land of Mañana because as a group we prioritize our values, emphasizing quality of client care and a fair and a nourishing work environment. I am passionate about connection as a healing path. Before becoming a counselor, I was focused on connection with the earth and plants as an herbalist and garden teacher. I see counseling as a continuation of this practice, where I can help others connect deeply to themselves and the world around them.
I see counseling as a collaborative process between client and counselor where I provide a supportive space for you to build awareness and explore your experience, relationships, emotions, how you got to be where you are now, and how to experiment with new ways of being. I practice using the modality of Internal Family Systems (IFS), a somatic, holistic method. I believe that people are made up of multiple parts and that inner wisdom and radical compassion exists within everyone. My vision is for counseling sessions to be a space where you can get to know the parts of yourself and access the inner calm, confidence, compassion and connectedness that can heal the whole. I believe that every person is a unique, whole, creative being with the capacity to heal themselves when given the opportunity and support. My mission is to help my clients live more peaceful, connected, vibrant, pleasure-full, and engaged lives.
I work individually with adults, specializing in working with women struggling with anxiety, depression, overwhelm, low self-esteem, guilt, anger, burn-out, and trauma. I also specialize in working with people in the helping professions, including therapists and medical professionals. I have experience working with PTSD, self-harm, suicidal thoughts, disordered eating, ADHD/ADD, relationship difficulties, sexual identity, racial identity, and life transitions. My practice is LGBTQIA+ affirming.
Under supervision Amanda Santiago, LCSW License No. C-08977