Dr. Lakisha Ellison, LCSW

Dr. Lakisha Ellison is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) based in North Carolina. She brings 15 years of experience helping people who are coping with anxiety, trauma, parenting strains, relationship and intimacy questions, mood conditions such as bipolar disorder, ADHD, and life transitions. Her style is down-to-earth and client-centered, with a focus on practical skills and honest conversation.

She began her social work career in 2005 working with children and families across many backgrounds. Over time she has supported people facing depression, attachment concerns, grief and loss, domestic violence, substance use impacts, and issues tied to family of origin. More recently she has focused on sexual trauma, anxiety, and the long-term effects of adverse childhood experiences.

Dr. Ellison often weaves cognitive behavioral methods into sessions to help clients spot patterns and try small behavior changes between meetings. She also draws on attachment-based ideas to look at how early relationships shape current reactions. Her overall approach centers the client's goals and strengths while keeping conversations practical and relatable.

She has particular experience supporting transgender clients and queer and lesbian women of color who want to process the intersections of race, sexuality, and gender. She uses humor and some holistic practices, such as guided rituals and aromatherapy, when clients are interested in those options.

Clients who meet with Dr. Ellison can expect collaborative goal-setting, clear strategies to try at home, and a respectful space to explore identity and healing. She frames the work as a partnership and aims to help people feel more authentic and empowered over time.

How these approaches work online

Dr. Ellison commonly uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Attachment-Based Therapy during sessions. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps people identify unhelpful thoughts and try small behavior changes that can reduce anxiety or improve mood. Attachment-Based Therapy looks at how early relationships influence current patterns and helps people build healthier ways of relating.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. She will talk with each person about goals and preferences, and together they choose methods that fit the issue and the person's comfort level. That collaboration helps make sure skills practiced in sessions carry over into daily life.

Online sessions are offered by video calls, phone, live chat, and text-based messaging to give flexibility. Video is useful for in-depth talk and exercises that benefit from face-to-face interaction. Phone sessions can be a good option when bandwidth is limited or when a client wants a focused conversation without video. Live chat and text are helpful for brief check-ins, tracking progress, or getting support between longer sessions. These options make it easier to fit therapy into school, work, or parenting schedules while still working on concrete skills and insight.