Introducing March’s Featured Therapist, Ellen Mishel!
Every month, Council for Relationships highlights one of our Staff Therapists on the Expert Voices blog. This month’s featured therapist is couple and family therapist Ellen Mishel, MSS, LSW, MFT. Learn more about Ellen in the quick introduction below.
About Therapy with Ellen Mishel, MSS, LSW, MFT
Seeing a therapist can be uncomfortable and scary, at first. If you haven’t been to therapy before, it can be hard to know what to expect. My approach is to create a safe environment so that we can comfortably explore various issues and eventually delve deeper and discuss pertinent topics. I enjoy listening to people and creating a non-judgmental safe space.
I’m experienced in working with people who struggle with stress, anxiety, and depression. Generally, I find that teaching skills fosters better communication, and better communication helps reduce anger, stress, and anxiety.
After alleviating some of these unpleasant emotions, it becomes easier to consider their underlying causes. In this safe and non-judgmental environment, my clients feel comfortable delving deeper into the roots of their issues. From there, we work on developing coping strategies for the future.
This task of creating a safe space for discussion and growth extends beyond the therapy session to the home. Clients use the skills they learn in therapy to improve communication with their spouses, children, and parents. Creating a safe space helps to foster communication so issues can be discussed. Through this discussion, the causes can be identified and adjustments can be made to encourage a more positive and accepting family environment.
Ellen’s Background
After raising a family, I went back to school and received a Graduate degree at Bryn Mawr Graduate School of Social Work and Social Research. I have been a Certified Parenting Educator for 20 years working with many diverse families. I have also worked with families who have adopted children. More recently, I completed the Post Graduate Certificate Program in Marriage and Family Therapy here at Council for Relationships(CFR). It has been an honor to work with many talented professionals at CFR.
