Alan Ellias, LMSW

Alan Ellias is a Licensed Master Social Worker with 20 years of part-time experience as a psychotherapist in Michigan. He earned his Master of Social Work from Wayne State University and has provided counseling across clinical and macro settings. Alan’s approach is warm and nonjudgmental and he aims to help people feel heard and respected from the first meeting.

He prefers practical work in sessions. He listens, helps people reframe difficult thoughts, and offers options to try between meetings. Alan often uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy ideas to connect thoughts, feelings, and actions. He also draws on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and client-centered listening when it fits the person’s goals.

Alan has worked with many common concerns, including anxiety, depression, grief, trauma and abuse, relationship and intimacy questions, parenting strain, career stress, and issues around LGBTQ identity. He also has experience with ADHD, phobias, hospice and end-of-life counseling, and infidelity. These areas inform how he shapes each person’s plan in therapy.

Sessions are practical and interactive. Alan balances short-term strategies with deeper exploration when needed. He avoids labels that feel stigmatizing and focuses on goals the person sets for themselves.

People who want straightforward tools and a respectful space often find his style helpful. He tailors each plan to the person’s needs and invites collaboration about what to try next. If someone is ready to start, he offers a clear path to get matched and scheduled.

Approaches that guide online sessions

Alan blends Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy with a client-centered attitude. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy focuses on identifying unhelpful thought patterns and testing small behavior changes to reduce anxiety or low mood. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy emphasizes noticing difficult thoughts and feelings while moving toward valued actions, which can help with stress, grief, and persistent worry.

Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will discuss goals, preferences, and what feels most useful in early sessions, then adapt methods over time. Clients and therapist review what works and shift strategies as needed to meet changing needs.

Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to increase flexibility. Video is useful for in-depth conversation and visual cues. Phone sessions can fit a shorter break or lower bandwidth situations. Live chat and text messaging suit quick check-ins, ongoing support between sessions, or people who prefer typing to speaking. These options make it easier to keep regular work on goals while balancing life commitments.