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Ellen Walker, LICSW

Based in District of Columbia Online sessions

Compassionate guidance for parenting and family stress

Book with Ellen
Years in practice
30
Credentials
LICSW
Licensed in
District of Columbia
Languages
English
Focus
Family conflicts
Focus
Parenting issues
Focus
Career difficulties
About

About Ellen

Ellen Walker is a licensed clinical social worker with three decades of experience helping people navigate parenting challenges and family strains. She speaks plainly and meets people where they are, focusing on practical steps parents can use right away. Parents who feel worn out, overwhelmed, or unsure about next steps often seek her guidance.

Her method is collaborative and down-to-earth. She begins by listening to what matters most to each person and then shapes sessions around those priorities.

Background and approach

Sessions typically last about 45 minutes and often start with a video meeting so she can get a strong sense of family dynamics and communication patterns. Ellen draws from several approaches that emphasize problem solving and real-world change.

She uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to identify unhelpful thoughts and habits, Solution-Focused techniques to set clear goals, and Motivational Interviewing to build readiness for change. She also brings trauma-focused tools when past hurt affects daily life. Her background includes long work in mental health and child welfare in the District of Columbia.

That experience gives her familiarity with adoption and foster care, child abuse and neglect, blended family issues, caregiver stress, end-of-life concerns, and other family-centered struggles. She is comfortable addressing grief, depression, anxiety, addiction, and relationship conflicts. Ellen offers sessions by video, phone, live chat, and text messaging, and she works with international clients in English.

Getting started begins with a short matching questionnaire and scheduling a session. She aims to walk alongside parents as they find ways to manage stress and strengthen family connections.

Focus areas and approaches

What Ellen works with

Everything Ellen lists, in the therapist's own terms. Parenting is the reason this directory exists; the rest shows what else Ellen helps people with.

Approaches Ellen lists

Listing an approach is not evidence of training in it. This directory copies what each therapist names and does not check training records.

Online support

How therapeutic approaches translate to online care

Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening and building a trusting partnership. The therapist follows the client's lead, reflects what she hears, and helps people name their priorities so sessions feel relevant to everyday parenting challenges.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at the link between thoughts, feelings, and behavior. In plain terms, CBT helps parents notice unhelpful thinking, try different responses, and practice new routines that change how family members interact.

Motivational Interviewing helps when someone feels stuck about making a change. It uses gentle questions and reflection to boost a person's own reasons for change, which can be useful for issues like addiction, caregiver burnout, or shifting parenting habits.

Choosing an approach happens together. The therapist will talk through options, try methods that match your goals, and adjust as needed. Clients are invited to say what helps and what doesn’t so the plan evolves with their needs.

Online sessions make it easier to fit therapy into busy family life. Video calls let the therapist observe interactions and nonverbal cues, while phone sessions are helpful when bandwidth is limited or a shorter check-in is needed. Live chat and text-based messaging allow brief problem solving between meetings or a way to process things without scheduling a full video session. These formats offer flexibility for parents juggling work, caregiving, and other demands.
Questions

Questions people ask about Ellen

What kinds of parenting and family issues are addressed?

Ellen helps with parenting concerns and family conflict as well as grief, relationship struggles, depression, anxiety, stress, addiction, and trauma-related issues.

What is her general style in therapy?

Her style is collaborative and practical. She listens first, then works with clients to set goals and try concrete steps between sessions.

How much experience does she bring to sessions?

She has about 30 years of experience in mental health and child welfare settings, which informs work on parenting, adoption and foster care, caregiver stress, and related concerns.

Where is she licensed and based?

She is a LICSW licensed in the District of Columbia and practices with that regional background in mind.

In which language are sessions offered?

Sessions are offered in English, and she accepts international clients.

What session formats are available?

She offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to fit different needs and schedules.

How is cost handled for sessions?

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

How do I begin working together?

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

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