CLINICAL INTERN
Pronouns: She/Her
Elena received her undergraduate degree from the University of Arizona with a Bachelor of Science in Psychological Science and a double minor in Emergency Medicine and Physiology. Elena is currently attending Seattle University working towards obtaining her Master of Science in Couples and Family Therapy. Elena has always felt drawn to the field of healthcare, which led her to her previous career as an Emergency Medical Technician. While she found meaning from treating the physical health of patients, she recognized a deeper passion for connecting to people through their most difficult times. Elena realized that when seeing patients only for a brief moment and then never again, she missed out on supporting them through the aftermath of a devastating event.
Elena works with all persons and practices from a holistic perspective. She welcomes individuals, couples, and families and has a special passion for coming alongside those in the early adulthood phase of life. Elena gravitates towards Solution-Focused, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Emotionally Focused Therapy modalities, and a number of presenting issues including grief/loss, trauma, disordered eating, and anxiety.
Elena views the therapeutic relationship as a partnership where all members are working together as a team. She believes that clients bring essential knowledge into the therapy space, and it is her job as the clinician to help leverage this knowledge, while providing new ideas and support, to help the client reach their goals. Elena aims to support her clients and embraces a systemic perspective, meaning that she approaches all problems and solutions while considering relational, cultural, and environmental contexts. Elena has consistently received feedback that she is compassionate, attentive, and gently directive. Her hope is that clients walk out of session feeling challenged at times, but often relieved and with greater comfort and meaning in their lives.
Elena is a bachelor's-level marriage and family therapy intern at Twin Lakes Counseling. She is supervised by Danielle Scarsella-Gonia, LMFT (LF60835868; NPI number 1740653120).
