Elena Spanos

Elena Spanos is a licensed clinical social worker with 25 years of experience helping people facing stress, anxiety, depression, relationship trouble, trauma, grief, ADHD, bipolar disorder, sleep problems, anger, and self-esteem struggles. She focuses on practical steps that make daily life feel easier and more meaningful. Elena aims to help clients find relief and renewed purpose without promising quick fixes.

Elena uses a mix of well-known therapy methods to figure out what works for each person. Sessions focus on identifying unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, building skills to manage intense emotions, and clarifying values to guide change. She draws on approaches such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, and the Gottman Method when relevant.

Her path into clinical work began with an associate degree in human services, followed by a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of South Florida and a Master of Social Work specializing in Clinical Social Work from Michigan State University. Elena became a licensed therapist in 2000 and opened a private practice in 2002. She has worked in schools, outpatient clinics, and community settings.

In sessions she aims for straightforward collaboration. She listens, helps clients spot patterns that get in the way, and suggests exercises to practice between meetings. The emphasis is on real-world changes that fit each person’s life.

People who want structured tools and a calm, practical approach often connect with her style. Those seeking help for life transitions, grief, chronic stress, or relationship concerns may find her approach especially relevant.

Therapeutic approaches and how they work online

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people notice painful thoughts without getting stuck in them and then choose actions that match their values. It is useful for chronic stress, anxiety, and life transitions. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on spotting and changing unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns through practical exercises and homework. It can help with depression, anxiety, sleep problems, and coping skills. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) teaches concrete emotion regulation and distress tolerance skills to manage intense feelings and reduce reactive behavior.

Choosing the right approach is a process done together. The therapist will talk with each person about goals, preferences, and what has or hasn’t helped before. From there they tailor methods and try strategies that fit the client’s day-to-day life, adjusting as progress is seen.

Confirm the current online session options before booking since formats were not specified in the biography. Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy schedule, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and reduce travel time. It also lets people use techniques and homework between meetings in their usual routines. Licensed professionals can adapt ACT, CBT, or DBT tools to remote work so clients continue building skills and tracking progress.