I have worked in the mental health field since 2001 and am currently a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and a Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC). While I have extensive training and experience with adolescents and young adults, I also enjoy working with adults, families, and couples. I am trained in EMDR, an evidence-based trauma therapy, along with other trauma related techniques which I incorporate in my counseling work when indicated. I am also a skilled trainer in Motivational Interviewing, adolescent development, developmental trauma, and suicide prevention. In addition, I regularly utilize CBT and DBT skills and interventions as necessary in counseling sessions. 

Regarding my philosophy of counseling, Glennon Melton, an author I admire, sums it up best: she describes life as “brutiful.” Brutiful blends the two words, “Beautiful” & “Brutal”, which sums up how we often experience our journeys in life. Life has its beautiful moments, it also has some difficult, hard times. When life feels painful and you need someone to talk to, I am someone who can provide a safe place to feel supported & heard. My goal is to provide a place for you to explore your thoughts, feelings, and values in order to better understand yourself. Additionally, I work with you to learn and strengthen healthy coping strategies so the unhealthy ones are less appealing.

 My clinical experience and training involves helping those with depression, anxiety, trauma, substance use, mood instability, anger, conflict, behavior/legal struggles, grief and loss, life transitions such as divorce, and adjustment issues. I take the following insurance: Aetna, Anthem / Elevance, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna and Evernorth, Lucent, Optum, Oscar Health, Profile EAP, TriWest, United Healthcare UHC/UBH, and Velocity. 

For an appointment, please contact me at Heart Matters at (719) 257-3488, or directly by cell or text at (719) 354-8257.

I can also be reached via email at Elyse@theheartmatters.org.