Elaina Tingley
MA LMHC
Areas of Clinical Experience and Interest
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Individual Counseling
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Adolescent Counseling
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Depression, Anxiety
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Stress Management
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Adult ADHD
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ADHD Coaching & Consultation
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Adoption
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Resource Referral, Coordination, Assessment & Advocacy
Biography
My specialty is working with adolescents and parents. I have always had a passion to work with families for the restoration of their mental health and to provide individuals, children, and parents the support and effective tools to achieve their goals.
My initial education and experience focused on working with children’s issues in various settings. I have worked as a counselor, case manager, and social worker at three agencies providing services for domestic, private, and international adoption as well as for children and teens in regular and therapeutic foster care.
My experience includes working with abuse, trauma, ADHD, attachment problems, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, depression, oppositional defiance, drug and alcohol addiction, neglect, drug effects and other related issues. I have served as a child/family advocate and have been a voice for many children/parents in juvenile court as well as in the school system. While working as a social worker, I placed and completed hundreds of adoptions and have co-facilitated adoption support groups. I am a trainer for the National Council For Adoption and Infant Adoption Awareness Program. I provide pre-adoption and post adoption counseling.
As an educator, I taught science to students K-12, classes for prospective foster care and adoption parents, and psychology at a local community college.
Therapeutic Style
My approach involves working together with the client to assess and identify personal goals. I view my role as counselor, coach, educator, and consultant.
I give guidance, support, hope, encouragement, and a provide a directional map (so to speak) to sort through complex issues in a safe environment that promotes personal growth spiritually, psychologically, and/or educationally.
My theoretical approach and techniques are drawn from family systems, cognitive-behavioral, solution focused, and art/play therapy. When working with younger children, I may meet with parent(s) for the remaining 10-15 minutes of the session. When needed, I give resources and coordinate referrals to help equip my clients in any way that would benefit their mental health and meet their goals.