Elena Spanos, LCSW

Elena Spanos brings 25 years of experience to her practice, combining practical strategies with compassionate support to help clients meet their goals and navigate life transitions. She focuses on finding solutions that fit each person, working collaboratively to identify thoughts or behaviors that may be limiting personal growth and to build sustainable ways of coping. Elena acknowledges that there are no quick fixes in therapy, and she emphasizes steady, evidence-informed work to help clients find comfort and resolution in difficult areas of life.

Her background includes an Associate in Science in Human Services Technology from Hillsborough Community College (1993), a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of South Florida, and a Master of Social Work with a specialization in Clinical Social Work from Michigan State University. She is an LCSW - a Licensed Clinical Social Worker - and became a licensed therapist in 2000, moving into private practice in 2002. Her clinical experience spans schools, in-home work, outpatient settings, couples therapy, and services for Military Families.

Elena supports people facing a wide range of concerns, from depression, anxiety, and relationship difficulties to trauma, grief, and life changes. She draws on a variety of proven therapeutic approaches and adapts them to each client’s needs, inviting anyone seeking guidance or change to explore therapy as a collaborative process with her.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care

Elena frequently integrates Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy into her work to address a range of concerns. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people clarify their values and take committed action toward a meaningful life while learning to accept difficult thoughts and feelings - it can be useful for anxiety, stress, and coping with life changes. Client-Centered Therapy focuses on creating a supportive, nonjudgmental environment where the client’s perspective guides the pace of change - this approach is often helpful for relationship concerns, self-esteem, and grief. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) involves identifying and reshaping unhelpful thinking patterns and behaviors to reduce symptoms and improve daily functioning, which can assist with depression, anxiety, ADHD-related challenges, and sleep issues.

Choosing the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Elena works collaboratively with clients to determine which methods best match their needs, goals, and personal preferences, and adapts interventions over time as progress unfolds. Licensed professionals often combine elements from different approaches to create a tailored plan that fits each individual.

Online therapy offers practical flexibility - sessions can occur by video call, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging, making it easier to fit support into busy schedules or to access care from different locations. These options help maintain continuity of care, allow for quicker contact between sessions when appropriate, and expand access to therapists who use evidence-informed methods.