Alan Ellias, LMSW

Alan Ellias is a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) practicing in Michigan who has offered part-time psychotherapy for more than 20 years. He earned his Master of Social Work from Wayne State University in 1995 and brings experience from roles in school settings, community crisis services, outpatient counseling, and a small private practice. He volunteered on a crisis line at Commonground before joining their emergency services staff, later worked at Counseling Alternatives, and continued part-time clinical work while serving in educational roles until his retirement from full-time school work in 2022.

Alan has supported people with a wide range of concerns, including depression, anxiety, grief, trauma and abuse, relationship and intimacy challenges, parenting and family difficulties, ADHD, career transitions, and issues related to LGBT identity. His practice also addresses stress, anger, self-esteem, coping with life changes, compassion fatigue, phobias, infidelity, and hospice and end-of-life counseling. He emphasizes a flexible, nonjudgmental, warm, and interactive counseling style that treats each person with respect and sensitivity.

Alan’s approach weaves together cognitive-behavioral and psychodynamic ideas along with rational-emotive techniques to help clients explore how thoughts influence feelings and behaviors. He aims to guide and empower clients rather than impose labels, working collaboratively to expand options and support choices that fit each individual’s life and goals.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care with Alan Ellias

Alan integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and psychodynamic ideas to help clients understand and change patterns that contribute to distress. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy focuses on the links between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and is useful for issues like anxiety, depression, and stress. Psychodynamic work explores how past experiences and unconscious patterns shape present relationships and emotional responses, which can be helpful for long-standing relationship difficulties and identity concerns.

He also draws on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy principles to support clients in clarifying values and taking purposeful action even when difficult emotions are present. Choosing the right approach is part of the therapeutic process - Alan collaborates with each person to identify methods that best fit their needs, goals, and personal preferences, adapting techniques as progress unfolds.

Online therapy with Alan is offered through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to provide flexibility for different schedules and communication styles. These options can make it easier to access consistent support during life transitions, manage ongoing symptoms, and fit therapy into a busy routine while working with a licensed professional.