PuttingFamilyFirst

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ES Portrait of Ellen Silbert
Online therapist

Ellen Silbert

Experienced LICSW focused on family and life challenges

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Credentials
LICSW
Experience
40 years
Licensed in
Massachusetts
Languages
English
Format
Online sessions

About Ellen

Ellen Silbert is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) based in Massachusetts who supports people facing stress, anxiety, grief, relationship and family concerns, parenting questions, addiction, trauma, and mood challenges. She brings 40 years of experience to her work. Ellen emphasizes a calm, respectful presence and aims to help clients feel heard and understood as they address tough moments in life.

Ellen trained at New York University, earning a Master of Arts in Clinical Social Work.

Background and approach

Over decades she has worked in many settings, from labor and delivery to hospice care, and with people at different life stages. That broad background informs her practical approach to everyday problems. In sessions she focuses on building trust and emotional safety first.

She keeps the room open and non-judgmental so people can talk honestly about what’s happening. Her style is straightforward and supportive, aimed at helping clients notice patterns and find doable steps forward. Ellen uses several evidence-based methods such as cognitive behavioral techniques, emotion-focused work, client-centered approaches, mindfulness tools, and motivational interviewing.

She mixes these tools to fit each person’s situation rather than insisting on one method. She provides therapy by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, messaging, and text-based communication. Sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time and fees vary by location and therapist availability.

To begin, a person completes a short matching questionnaire and schedules according to therapist availability.

How Ellen blends proven approaches for online care

Client-centered therapy centers the person in the room and emphasizes listening and empathy. In practice this means sessions focus on what matters most to the individual and build understanding before changing anything. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, helps identify unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns and then tests small, practical changes to reduce distress and improve daily functioning. Emotionally-Focused Therapy focuses on feelings and close relationships, helping people notice emotional responses and improve how they connect with others.

Choosing the right approach is a joint process. Ellen will talk with each person about goals, preferences, and what has or hasn’t helped in the past. Together they decide which methods to try and adjust the plan as progress is made.

Online therapy offers practical flexibility. Video sessions let people meet face to face from home, phone sessions work when schedules or bandwidth are tight, and live chat or messaging suits brief check-ins or those who prefer writing. These options make it easier to fit therapy into busy lives and to keep momentum between meetings.

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.

Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)

Attends to the emotions underneath a recurring argument or distance, and to the attachment needs driving them. Often used where a relationship keeps returning to the same painful loop.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does Ellen address in therapy?
Ellen supports people dealing with stress, anxiety, grief, parenting and family issues, addictions, trauma, mood disorders such as depression and bipolar, relationship and intimacy concerns, and related challenges.
What is her therapeutic style like?
She aims for a calm, open, and non-judgmental space where trust comes first. Ellen combines practical conversation with skills practice to help people make small, useful changes.
How many years has she practiced?
She brings four decades of experience, having worked across medical and community settings including labor and delivery and hospice care.
What credentials and region are listed?
Ellen holds an MA and is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker with license number MA LICSW 117806 in Massachusetts.
Which languages are supported for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
What formats are available for meeting online?
She offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging for remote work.
How are fees and cancellations handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability. Sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
What are the steps to start working together?
Use the Start Therapy button, complete a brief matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions according to the therapist's availability.

Specialties and expertise

Top specialties

Also works with

Therapeutic approaches

Experience
40 years
Licensed
Massachusetts
Languages
English

Next step

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