Ellen Dinsmore, LICSW

Ellen Dinsmore is a licensed clinical social worker who helps people facing stress, anxiety, depression, addictions, and major life changes. She brings 15 years of experience in counseling and aims to make the first step feel less overwhelming for anyone seeking support.

Her style is collaborative and down to earth. Sessions focus on practical steps and honest conversation. She works with clients to set clear goals and find ways to feel more satisfied in daily life.

Ellen draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to notice unhelpful thinking and change everyday behaviors. She also uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and mindfulness practices to help people live according to their values, even when emotions are difficult.

People come to her for a wide range of concerns including relationship strain, grief, trauma or abuse, career stress, ADHD, mood disorders, and issues related to adoption, identity, or substance use. She also supports those coping with compassion fatigue and life-purpose questions.

Her approach honors each person’s pace and priorities. Sessions aim to be practical, respectful, and focused on what matters most to the client. Ellen values authenticity and creates space where feelings and thoughts can be spoken about without judgment.

Based in Minnesota, she offers straightforward guidance and tools that people can use between sessions to build momentum toward their goals.

Practical approaches for online therapy and change

CBT, or Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and testing them with real-world experiments. It helps people change patterns that keep them stuck, such as avoidance or negative self-talk, and is often used for anxiety, depression, and stress-related problems.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, or ACT, helps people notice difficult feelings without getting pushed around by them and guides them to act in line with personal values. It can be useful when someone wants to build a more meaningful life even while managing strong emotions.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. Ellen aims to collaborate with clients to choose methods that match their goals and preferences. She will discuss what feels useful and adapt tools so they fit each person's situation and pace.

Online therapy offers flexibility in how sessions happen. Video calls let you have a full conversational session with visual cues. Phone sessions can be simpler when bandwidth or camera use is a concern. Live chat and text-based messaging make it easier to check in between meetings, use brief coaching, or fit therapy into a busy schedule. These options make it easier to keep regular contact and practice skills in day-to-day life.