- Family conflict help
- Adoption and foster care
- Mindfulness and CBT
About Ellen
Ellen Silbert is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) based in Massachusetts. She has worked in clinical settings since earning a Master of Arts in Clinical Social Work from New York University in 1984. Ellen helps people facing stress, anxiety, grief, relationship strain, addictions, parenting challenges, and concerns related to adoption and foster care.
She draws on four decades of practice in many settings, including perinatal care and hospice, so she is familiar with both early parenting needs and end-of-life issues. Ellen uses straightforward conversation to help people sort through feelings and practical choices. She aims to create an open-minded, non-judgmental space where people can build insight at their own pace.
Ellen tends to work in a collaborative, client-centered way. She also uses cognitive behavioral techniques to identify and change unhelpful thinking, and mindfulness practices to reduce stress. Motivational interviewing helps when people are weighing change or recovery choices.
Her approach is practical and relational. Sessions focus on what matters in daily life - routines, relationships, coping with change, and problem solving. She pays attention to emotional safety and to finding realistic steps clients can try between meetings.
Ellen communicates regularly by message and offers live chat and phone sessions. If you want to explore whether she might be a fit, send a brief note to check current session options and scheduling.
How Ellen’s methods translate to online therapy
Client-Centered Therapy focuses on understanding each person's perspective and building a trusting relationship. Online sessions allow this same conversational, empathetic approach to continue even when meeting remotely. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) breaks problems into thoughts, feelings, and actions and uses practical exercises to shift unhelpful patterns; it works well online because worksheets and behavioral experiments can be assigned between sessions. Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) concentrates on emotions and attachment patterns to improve relationships and emotional connection, and it can be done in remote sessions by guiding conversation and focusing on present feelings. Finding the right approach is part of the work. Ellen collaborates with clients to decide whether client-centered conversation, CBT, EFT, or a mix fits best. She listens to your goals and adjusts methods over time so the plan matches your needs and preferences. Confirm which session formats are currently available before booking, since options can change. Messaging, live chat, and phone sessions have been used in her practice; check with her to verify the current offering. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy day, reduce travel time, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and let people work from a quieter space or while taking a break at work. These practical benefits often help therapy feel more manageable within everyday life.Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
40+ years
Credentials
Massachusetts
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does Ellen often help with?
Ellen supports people dealing with stress, anxiety, grief, relationship and family conflict, parenting challenges, addictions, trauma and many life changes. She also lists adoption and foster care among her focus areas.
How would you describe her therapeutic style?
Her style is warm and client-centered, with an emphasis on building trust and comfort. She combines conversational work with practical tools like cognitive behavioral techniques and mindfulness.
What is her professional background?
She earned a Master of Arts in Clinical Social Work from New York University in 1984 and has about 40 years of experience in clinical settings, including labor and delivery and hospice care.
What credentials and location are listed?
She is a LICSW (Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker) and practices in Massachusetts.
Which languages are supported and can international clients work together?
Sessions are offered in English and she does not accept international clients at this time.
What session formats does she use?
Her documented formats include messaging, live chat, and phone sessions. Confirm current session options with her before scheduling.
How is cost handled for sessions?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Click the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to the therapist's availability.