Ilene Vallance, LMSW

Ilene Vallance, LMSW, brings 32 years of clinical experience to her work with adults and families in Michigan. She draws on a broad background in public and private mental health settings to help people manage stress, anxiety, relationship concerns, self-esteem issues, depression, grief, trauma and abuse, sleep difficulties, parenting challenges, career transitions, bipolar disorder, compassion fatigue, and other life changes. She also addresses additional focus areas such as attachment and abandonment issues, blended family dynamics, chronic illness and caregiver stress, codependency, communication and control issues, and personality-related concerns.

Her approach blends evidence-based methods including Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) with client-centered and mindfulness-informed techniques to tailor care to each person s needs. She maintains a relaxed, nonjudgmental, and validating style that aims to create a supportive space for exploring feelings, strengthening coping skills, and improving interpersonal connections.

Ilene holds an LMSW, a license for social work practice in Michigan, and is a member of the National Association of Social Workers and the Academy of Certified Social Workers. She offers flexible scheduling Monday through Thursday with some Saturday appointments available and works with a diverse adult population. Prospective clients can view her availability and select an appointment time that fits their needs.

Evidence-based approaches and online therapy options

Ilene integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help clients identify and change unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns; CBT is often used for anxiety, depression, sleep issues, and coping with life transitions. She also uses Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills work to teach emotional regulation, distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness, and mindfulness practices useful for intense emotions, relationship challenges, and trauma recovery. In addition, mindfulness-informed techniques are woven into sessions to support present-moment awareness and stress reduction, which can help with anxiety, sleep difficulties, and compassion fatigue.

Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. Ilene works with each person to assess needs, goals, and preferences and then tailors therapy using one or more approaches so the treatment fits the client rather than forcing a single method.

Online therapy with Ilene offers practical flexibility - sessions can occur by video call or phone, and she also provides live chat and text-based messaging options. These modalities make it easier to fit appointments into busy schedules, maintain continuity during life changes, and access consistent support from a licensed professional without travel time.