PuttingFamilyFirst

The therapist listings are provided by BetterHelp and we will earn a commission if you use our link - at no cost to you.

EM Portrait of Elina Malamud
Online therapist

Elina Malamud

Calm, practical therapy for life transitions

Book with Elina
Credentials
LCSW
Experience
24 years
Licensed in
New Jersey, New York
Languages
English, Russian
Format
Online sessions

About Elina

Elina Malamud is a licensed clinical social worker with 24 years of experience helping people manage stress, anxiety, low mood, and major life transitions. She works with clients who feel overwhelmed, stuck, or unsure how to respond to changes like starting a new job, becoming a parent, or coping with loss.

Her voice is calm and practical, aimed at parents and adults who need clear, usable strategies. She uses simple, evidence-informed methods to help people feel steadier day to day.

Background and approach

Sessions focus on skills to manage strong emotions, steps to improve sleep and routines, and strategies to reduce compulsive or addictive behaviors. She also supports people dealing with identity and intimacy questions, grief, and work-related stress. Elina draws from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in sessions.

That means she balances noticing what is hard now with practical steps to change unhelpful habits and to build a life that matters to the client. She explains tools in plain language and practices them together with the client. She offers services from New York and conducts sessions in English and Russian.

Her credential is LCSW - licensed clinical social worker - with licenses in New Jersey (NJ LCSW 44SC05729400) and New York (NY LCSW 076320). People working with Elina usually focus on improving daily coping, setting realistic goals, and rebuilding confidence after a difficult period. Her style is steady, empathetic, and goal-oriented so clients leave with concrete steps to try between sessions.

Therapeutic approaches and online care

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people notice difficult thoughts and feelings without getting stuck in them, and then move toward values-based actions. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying unhelpful thinking patterns and testing small behavioral changes to reduce anxiety, improve mood, and change habits.

Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will talk with the client about goals, try practical strategies, and adjust the plan based on what helps most. Together they decide which methods fit the client's needs and day-to-day life.

Online options include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging, offering flexibility for parents and busy adults. These formats make it easier to keep continuity during life changes, fit sessions into work or family schedules, and practice skills between meetings. Licensed professionals can adapt exercises and check-ins to suit each format so progress continues even when meeting remotely.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

Less about arguing with difficult thoughts, more about loosening their grip and acting on what matters to you anyway. Values and committed action carry the work, which suits conversation at a distance.

Client-Centered Therapy

The direction comes from you rather than from a set programme. The therapist offers a warm, non-judgemental space to think out loud and work at your own pace. Online, this rests on the relationship rather than on being in the same room.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT looks at the link between what you think, how you feel, and what you do. You work on noticing unhelpful patterns and practising steadier responses. It suits online sessions well, because much of the work happens between appointments and can be talked through from anywhere.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns can be addressed in sessions?
Common topics include stress, anxiety, depression, relationship issues, parenting challenges, addictions, grief, trauma, and life transitions. Additional focuses include issues like abandonment, control, and postpartum depression.
What is the therapist's style in sessions?
Sessions balance practical skill-building with supportive listening. The approach is down-to-earth and aimed at giving clients tools they can use between appointments.
How long has this therapist been practicing?
The clinician has 24 years of professional experience working with a range of emotional and behavioral concerns.
Where is the therapist licensed and based?
The therapist is based in New York and holds LCSW licenses in New Jersey (NJ LCSW 44SC05729400) and New York (NY LCSW 076320).
Which languages are supported for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English and Russian.
What session formats are available?
Therapy is offered via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to accommodate different needs and schedules.
How are sessions paid for and what do they cost?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with this therapist?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, completing a short matching questionnaire, and then scheduling according to the therapist's availability.

Specialties and expertise

Top specialties

Also works with

Therapeutic approaches

Experience
24 years
Licensed
New Jersey, New York
Languages
English, Russian

Next step

Talk to Elina

  • Takes a few minutes
  • Nothing to set up just to look
  • Stop at any point
Book with Elina