- Client-centered
- Mindfulness-informed
- Goal-focused
About Ellen
Ellen Silbert is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) based in Massachusetts who helps people facing stress, anxiety, relationship strain, parenting challenges, grief, codependency, and other life changes. She brings four decades of clinical experience and a steady, calm approach to sessions. Ellen emphasizes building trust and emotional comfort so clients can tackle hard problems without feeling judged.
Her work spans many areas including addiction, trauma and abuse, intimacy and sexual concerns, eating and sleeping difficulties, anger, self-esteem, and mood disorders such as depression and bipolar. She also supports people navigating caregiving stress, chronic illness, adoption and foster care issues, and aging-related concerns. Ellen mentions experience across medical and hospice settings and with people at many life stages.
Ellen uses client-centered ways of working that focus on the person in front of her. She also draws on cognitive-behavioral tools, emotionally-focused methods, mindfulness, and motivational interviewing to help people set goals and try practical steps. Sessions are aimed at increasing self-awareness and solving specific problems while honoring each person’s values.
Her background includes a Master of Arts in Clinical Social Work from New York University and a long clinical career in hospitals and community settings. Ellen describes herself as open-minded and nonjudgmental, and she invites people to reach out to see if the fit feels right.
For people who prefer messaging or shorter check-ins, she notes messaging, live chat, and phone options are part of her practice, with some evening and weekend times available. Prospective clients are encouraged to confirm current session options before booking.
How her approaches work in online care
Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening and understanding the person’s experience. The therapist offers empathy and helps people find their own answers, which can ease relationship strain and codependency patterns. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at how thoughts and behaviors interact and teaches small practical skills to reduce anxiety, improve sleep, or change unhelpful patterns. Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) helps people notice and name strong emotions and shift interaction patterns that cause distress in relationships.Choosing the right approach is part of the work. Ellen will talk with each person about goals and preferences and will try methods that fit those needs. That collaboration helps clients see what works and make adjustments over time.
Her practice notes the use of messaging, live chat, and phone contact, with some evening and weekend availability. Because session options can change, confirm the current formats before booking. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy week, allow for shorter check-ins when needed, and reduce travel time so people can focus on the work they want to do.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
40+ years
Credentials
Massachusetts
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does Ellen commonly help with?
She supports people dealing with stress, anxiety, grief, parenting strains, codependency, addictions, trauma, relationship and intimacy issues, mood disorders, and related life challenges.
How would you describe her therapeutic style?
Her style is warm and nonjudgmental with an emphasis on building trust. She blends client-centered listening with practical tools to help people make changes.
What kind of clinical background does she bring?
She has about 40 years of clinical experience and has worked in hospitals, labor and delivery, hospice care, and community settings.
What credentials does she hold and where is she based?
She holds a Master of Arts in Clinical Social Work and is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) in Massachusetts.
In which languages can sessions be held?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can people outside the United States work with her?
She does not accept international clients at this time.
How are fees and payment handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability, and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Click the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability.
Profile details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. Credential and registration rules differ between the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia.