Ellen Dinsmore, LICSW - Therapist in Minnesota

About Ellen

Ellen Dinsmore is a licensed clinical social worker (LICSW) based in Minnesota. She helps people facing stress, anxiety, depression, addictions, and major life changes. Ellen offers a direct and down-to-earth style aimed at making hard conversations feel manageable.

She emphasizes honesty, respect, and practical support for people who want clearer direction and relief. Her sessions start with listening to what matters most and setting goals together. She uses straightforward talk and collaborative problem solving rather than jargon.

Background and approach

Ellen encourages sharing thoughts and feelings without judgment so clients can try new ways of coping. Over 15 years of practice inform her approach. That experience includes work with mood disorders, trauma and abuse, grief, anger, and issues around identity such as LGBT and gender dysphoria.

She also supports people dealing with adoption and foster care concerns, substance use, attachment struggles, and compassion fatigue. Ellen draws from several evidence-based methods including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, mindfulness, client-centered work, and Motivational Interviewing. She adapts techniques to each person’s needs and pace.

Her aim is to help clients build lasting skills they can use outside sessions. Practical matters are part of the work too. Ellen provides sessions in multiple remote formats and explains how therapy fits into daily life.

She invites people to take the first step toward changes they want, offering steady guidance along the way.

Therapeutic approaches for online care

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) focuses on helping people notice difficult thoughts and feelings without being ruled by them. It emphasizes choosing actions that match personal values and can help with anxiety, low mood, and big life changes. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at the links between thoughts, feelings, and actions and teaches concrete skills to change unhelpful patterns, which is often useful for anxiety, depression, and coping with stress.

Ellen aims to find the right approach together with each person. She listens to your goals, tries methods that fit your preferences, and adjusts the plan as progress unfolds. That collaborative process helps decide whether ACT, CBT, mindfulness practices, or motivational interviewing techniques will work best for your situation.

Online therapy offers practical flexibility. Video calls let you meet face-to-face from home, while phone sessions work when video isn’t possible. Live chat and text-based messaging provide shorter, more frequent check-ins and support between longer sessions. These options make it easier to fit therapy into a busy family life or a tight schedule, while still using the therapist’s approaches to build real skills.

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 does she address?

She works with stress, anxiety, depression, addictions, and many life transitions, including grief, trauma, and mood concerns listed in her profile.

How would you describe her therapy style?

Her style is collaborative and down-to-earth. She listens first, sets goals together, and uses practical steps rather than clinical jargon.

What is her experience background?

She has 15 years of professional experience working with mood disorders, trauma, substance issues, identity questions, and related areas.

What credentials and location does she have?

She holds a LICSW credential and is licensed in Minnesota under MN LICSW 1966.

Which languages are supported and are international clients accepted?

Sessions are offered in English. International clients are not currently accepted.

What session formats are available?

She offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging as ways to meet.

How are costs handled for sessions?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.

What are the steps to begin therapy?

Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a session based on therapist availability.

Specialties and expertise

Top specialties

Stress, Anxiety
Addictions
Career difficulties

Also works with

Therapeutic approaches

Experience: 15 years
Licensed: Minnesota
Languages: English

Next step

Talk to Ellen

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