Elena Spanos, LCSW

Elena Spanos, LCSW, helps people facing stress, anxiety, relationship strain, grief, and midlife transitions. She also works with concerns such as depression, ADHD, anger, trauma and abuse, sleeping problems, self-esteem, and coping with life changes. Her approach aims to find practical steps that fit each person's situation so everyday life feels easier to manage.

Elena keeps sessions simple and focused. She listens first, then helps people identify thoughts and behaviors that get in the way. Together she and the client try out different strategies to reduce distress and improve daily routine. Progress is paced to match each person’s goals and needs.

With 25 years in the field, Elena has worked in schools, outpatient settings, homes, and couples work. She began private practice in 2002 and has experience supporting people through medical issues, caregiver stress, chronic pain and disability, and blended family challenges. Her background includes helping those who face abandonment, divorce and separation, or the emotional impact of illness.

She uses a mix of approaches to suit the person in front of her. Methods include Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, client-centered work, cognitive behavioral techniques, dialectical behavior ideas, and elements of the Gottman Method for relationship concerns. Mindfulness and practical coping skills often appear in sessions.

Elena holds a Master of Social Work degree and is a licensed clinical social worker in Florida. She encourages people to start with a short matching questionnaire and then schedule a time to talk about goals and next steps.

Therapeutic approaches that translate to online work

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) encourages people to notice thoughts and choose actions that match their values, which can help with midlife questions, anxiety, and low mood. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) breaks down problems into thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and teaches specific skills to change patterns that cause distress. Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening and building a trusting working relationship so clients can find their own solutions and clarify goals.

Finding the right approach is part of the process. The therapist will discuss goals, preferences, and practical needs and then try methods that fit the person. Work is collaborative, with regular check-ins to see what helps and what should change.

Session formats are not listed here, so please confirm current session options before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy day, shorten commute time, and allow for a mix of short check-ins and longer sessions when needed. It also lets people try tools like behavioral experiments, mindfulness practice, and skill rehearsal in real-life settings and then talk about how they went in the next session.