Elena Spanos, LCSW

Elena Spanos is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 25 years of experience helping people cope with stress, anxiety, depression, relationship strain, grief, trauma, and life changes. She focuses on practical steps clients can use right away to feel steadier and more in control.

She takes a straightforward, collaborative approach. Sessions center on what is causing trouble now and what small, doable changes will help. Elena listens, asks clear questions, and offers tools people can try between meetings.

Elena uses a mix of well-known methods, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and client-centered work. She draws from these approaches to tailor strategies to each person’s needs rather than using the same plan for everyone.

Her background includes a Master of Social Work with a clinical focus from Michigan State University and earlier study at the University of South Florida and Hillsborough Community College. She became a licensed therapist in 2000 and began private practice in 2002, after work in schools, outpatient settings, and with military families.

People often come to Elena for help with attention and mood challenges, anger, sleep problems, chronic health stress, caregiving strain, and relationship issues. She also supports those navigating loss, abandonment, or major life transitions. Her style is practical, calm, and focused on realistic steps toward better days.

Using practical therapy approaches online

Elena often draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help people spot unhelpful thinking and change behaviors that keep problems stuck; this approach is useful for anxiety, depression, sleep issues, and attention challenges. She also uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to help clients clarify personal values and accept difficult feelings while taking steps toward meaningful goals. Client-centered work is part of her practice as well, offering a listening, nonjudgmental space where a person’s own priorities guide the work.

Finding the right approach is a team effort. Elena will talk with each person about their goals and preferences, then adapt methods to fit those needs. That process can include trying different tools and checking in regularly about what helps and what does not.

Online sessions give practical flexibility. Video calls let people use visual cues and more in-depth conversations. Phone sessions require less bandwidth and can fit a break at work. Live chat and text-based messaging make it easier to check in between meetings or when a brief update is needed. These options help make steady progress possible while fitting therapy into a busy life.