Hi, I’m Ellie, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist based in Mission Viejo, California! :) I work with preteens, teens, college students, and young adults navigating generalized anxiety, social anxiety, performance-based anxiety, academic/occupational stress, and relationship challenges. I primarily use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and integrate mindfulness, attachment-based, and relational approaches to meet each client’s unique needs. I offer both in-person and virtual sessions for clients throughout California.

You don’t have to wait until things fall apart to benefit from therapy. You can come just as you are—confused, overwhelmed, unsure where to start. Therapy isn’t about having all the answers; it’s about having a safe space to explore what’s going on with someone who’s really listening. It’s okay to feel nervous at first—many people do—but it can also be one of the most meaningful investments you make in yourself.

Sessions with me are warm, supportive, and collaborative. I’ll start by getting to know you—what’s been hard lately, what’s important to you, and what you’re hoping to get out of therapy. I use a mix of practical tools (like CBT strategies) and deeper exploration to help you understand patterns, build insight, and feel more grounded. You can expect a space where you can be real, ask questions, and move at your own pace—we’ll check in regularly to make sure therapy is working for you.

help clients with anxiety learn how to better understand what’s fueling their worry, notice unhelpful thought patterns, and develop tools to manage stress more effectively. I primarily use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to build practical coping strategies, but I also integrate mindfulness, relational, and attachment-based approaches to meet each client’s needs. Whether it shows up as overthinking, perfectionism, social fears, or constant pressure to perform, we’ll work together to reduce anxiety’s grip and create more space for confidence, calm, and self-trust.

Stress can show up in so many ways—feeling overwhelmed, irritable, exhausted, or like you’re constantly falling behind. I work with clients to identify the sources of their stress, explore how it’s affecting their thoughts, emotions, and body, and build tools to manage it more effectively. Using a blend of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), mindfulness, and relational work, we create space to slow down, set boundaries, and regain a sense of control. My goal is to help you feel more balanced, resilient, and supported—especially in the areas of school, relationships, and day-to-day life.

CBT helps you understand how your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are connected. When you’re anxious or overwhelmed, your mind can fall into patterns that keep you stuck—like overthinking, assuming the worst, or being hard on yourself. In CBT, we work together to notice those patterns, challenge them, and replace them with more balanced, helpful ways of thinking. It’s a practical, evidence-based approach that gives you tools to manage anxiety, stress, and self-doubt both in the moment and over time. I use CBT in a flexible, collaborative way—so it feels relevant and personalized to you.