Meet Ellie Pierson, LCSW
Ellie is experienced working with adolescents, college and graduate students, and young adults. Her areas of focus include social and general anxiety, depression and mood disorders, OCD, substance use, eating disorders and body image concerns, and issues related to interpersonal, emotional, physical, and sexual trauma. She provides individual therapy and leads groups for anxiety, trauma, and substance use.
Ellie has special interests in gender and sexuality, relationship and family issues, and challenges with cultural adjustments, income differences, and other diverse background and identity concerns. She also addresses academic issues and stress, such as struggles with perfectionism, expectations, and self-doubt, as well as issues involving organization, planning, and time management.
Engaging, positive, and strengths focused, Ellie integrates interpersonal and solution focused therapy, psychoeducation, mindfulness, crisis intervention, safety planning, and resource building approaches. Her expertise includes assessments and custom therapy plans, and collaborating with families, schools, and interdisciplinary teams.
Ellie’s training and experience include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Motivational Interviewing, harm reduction strategies for substance use, and trauma-informed approaches.
Ellie has also worked in leadership roles involving practice development and community outreach, such as developing new programs and group offerings for individuals impacted by sexual violence and trauma. Ellie earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Butler University and her Master’s degree in Clinical Social Work from Loyola University Chicago.
Ellie is a Therapist and Practice Development Associate with Connections Health.