- Practical tools
- Relationship help
- Stress and anxiety
About Elena
Elena Spanos is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 25 years of experience helping people navigate stress, anxiety, relationship struggles, grief, trauma, and life changes. She centers care on practical steps that make daily life easier and more meaningful. Her work often focuses on areas like codependency, self-esteem, sleep problems, ADHD, and coping with illness or loss.
Elena keeps sessions straightforward and focused on what you want to change. She and the person she’s working with look at habits, thoughts, and behaviors that get in the way. Together they try different strategies until they find what works in real life. Progress is measured by how life feels day to day, not by labels.
Her training includes a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of South Florida and a Master of Social Work from Michigan State University. She earned an Associate in Science degree in Human Services Technology in 1993 and became licensed as a therapist in 2000. She has worked in schools, homes, outpatient settings, and in private practice since 2002.
Elena uses a mix of well-known approaches to match each person’s needs. She draws on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, client-centered work, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and the Gottman Method when relationships are a focus. She aims to help people build skills they can use outside sessions.
People who want help with anger, depression, parenting stress, blended-family issues, or recovery from trauma often find concrete tools in her sessions. She asks a few questions at the start and then builds a plan that fits each person’s rhythm and goals.
How Elena’s Approaches Translate to Online Therapy
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people notice unhelpful thoughts and choose actions that match their values. It can be useful for anxiety, stress, codependency, and coping with life transitions. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at the link between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and teaches practical skills to reduce symptoms like anxiety, depression, and sleep problems. The Gottman Method focuses on improving communication and problem-solving in relationships and can help couples rebuild trust and manage conflict.Finding the right approach is part of therapy. Elena works collaboratively to see which methods fit a person’s goals and day-to-day life. She will discuss options and adapt techniques so they feel useful and manageable rather than rigid or one-size-fits-all.
Confirm current session options before booking so you know which online formats are available. Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into busy schedules, allow shorter check-ins when time is limited, and reduce the need to travel. It also makes it simpler to keep consistency during life changes, so progress can continue even when routines shift.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
25+ years
Credentials
Florida
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does Elena commonly address?
She helps people with stress, anxiety, depression, relationship problems, trauma and abuse, grief, sleep struggles, ADHD, bipolar concerns, and codependency among other issues.
How would you describe her therapeutic style?
The style is practical and collaborative. She looks at daily habits and thoughts, then works with each person to try approaches that fit their life.
What is her background and experience?
She has 25 years of experience and has worked in schools, homes, outpatient settings, and private practice since 2002.
What credentials and location information are on file?
She holds a Master of Social Work and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Florida.
Which languages are sessions offered in?
Sessions are offered in English.
Are international clients supported?
International clients are not currently accepted.
How are sessions arranged and what is the cost model?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Use the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability.
Profile details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. Credential and registration rules differ between the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia.