Elaina Gardner, LMSW

About Elaina Gardner, LMSW

I am a professional clinically limited licensed social worker with experience working with a wide range of Diagnoses. I have a Master of Social Work degree with a Concentration in Psychodynamic Theory, which I obtained from Wayne State University. In addition to Psychodynamic Theory, I often utilize a Cognitive Behavioral approach, as well as incorporating Mindfulness into sessions. I have been working through an agency that provides Mental Health services to inmates in county jails since August of 2018 where a primary part of my job is to meet one-on-one with individuals having difficulty coping with their incarceration. I also have experience working in Outpatient settings, doing one-on-one therapy, where I worked primarily with Substance Abuse. I have worked predominantly with adults, but am more than eager to also work with families, couples, and adolescents. I strive to use empathy to relate to my clients as well as building rapport. My experience working in a Criminal Justice setting has allowed me to show my client’s acceptance, reflective listening, motivational interviewing, and assisting client’s in forgiveness for themselves and others. My experience with Substance Abuse has allowed me to teach and reflect with the client on the five stages of change. I individualize your treatment based on your necessities. My goal for my clients is to collaborate to create and maintain treatment goals that will allow for growth and healing. I aim to give my clients a safe place to work through trauma, mental distress, hopelessness, etc.

6 Common Sleep Disorders & Signs to Look out for

By |2023-03-24T16:39:24+02:00March 24th, 2023|Categories: Mental Health|

What are Sleep Disorders? Sleep Disorders involve issues with quality, quantity, and timing of sleep, which can impact levels of distress in the daytime and impair functioning. Another term for sleep disorders is sleep-wake disorders. Insomnia is one of the most common and well-known sleep-wake disordersWritten by American Psychiatric Association . Importance of Sleep [...]

Coping Skills & Distraction Techniques to Utilize when Feeling Triggered to Self-Harm

By |2023-03-03T18:35:23+02:00March 3rd, 2023|Categories: Adults, Anxiety, BPD, CBT, Depression, Everyday tips, Mental Health, Social Anxiety, Stress, Treatment, Wellness|

What is Self Harm? Mental health struggles can look like anxiety, depression, mood swings, delusions, hallucinations, etc. These moments may feel like it is impossible to move forward or to feel better. When this is the case, the mental anguish can be so painful that some feel they must distract themselves with something easier [...]

8 Ways to Nurture Intimacy in your Relationship

By |2023-02-27T20:12:04+02:00February 27th, 2023|Categories: Adults, CBT, Everyday tips, Mental Health, Personal development, Relationships, Wellness|

Nurturing Intimacy in Relationships Growing up, many of us have a skewed view of what a romantic relationship will look like. Regardless of what the relationships around us look like: fairytales, romance novels, romantic comedies, and cheesy love songs all tell a story of what an ideal relationship looks like. These media portrayals of [...]

8 Common Miscommunications Affecting Your Relationship

By |2023-02-16T22:37:07+02:00February 13th, 2023|Categories: Adults, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Everyday tips, Mental Health, Personal development, Relationships, Wellness|

Improve Your Communication this Valentine's Day Reducing miscommunications affecting your relationship February means Valentine's Day, which means heart-shaped candies, flowers, and chocolates. On a more fundamental level though, it is an opportunity to intentionally prioritize your romantic relationships. No matter the strength of a couple, we are always able to improve [...]

Reduce your Stress with these Simple Decluttering Tips

By |2022-12-08T19:34:32+02:00December 8th, 2022|Categories: Anxiety, CBT, Everyday tips, Health, Mental Health, Personal development, Stress, Wellness|Tags: , , , , |

Written by . Reduce Stress by Decluttering Have you ever gone through your things--clothes, accessories, knick-knacks, and decided it was time to part with these items? It may have been due to certain clothes not fitting anymore, or that you have outgrown your attachment to decorations or objects. At times, you may come across something [...]

Tips for National Coming Out Day

By |2022-11-09T18:30:16+02:00October 31st, 2022|Categories: Adults, Everyday tips, Mental Health, Personal development, Relationships|

Written by . National Coming Out Day On October 11th, 1988, the very first National Coming Out Day was observed. This date was chosen as it was the one-year anniversary of the march on Washington, D.C., for Lesbian and Gay Rights Written by Human Rights Campaign . This Nationally recognized day aims to raise awareness [...]

Tips for Breaking the Stigma Surrounding Mental Health

By |2022-10-27T20:48:55+02:00October 27th, 2022|Categories: Everyday tips, Mental Health, Personal development, Wellness|

Stigma Surrounding Mental Health Over half of individuals with mental illness do not receive help for their disorders. Due to the stigma surrounding mental illness, many people avoid seeking treatment out of fear of discrimination or judgment. Researchers have identified three different types of stigmas: public, self, and institutional. Public [...]

Common Subtle Signs of Anxiety + Simple Coping Skills

By |2022-09-27T20:25:08+02:00September 27th, 2022|Categories: Anxiety, CBT, Everyday tips, Mental Health, Panic attack, Social Anxiety|

Written by Mayo Clinic What is Anxiety? Anxiety is a feeling of fear, dread, and uneasiness. This can be a normal reaction to stress. This natural reaction can help to boost energy and assist with ability to focus, however, for individuals who have anxiety disorders, this fear can be constant and overwhelming. An anxiety [...]

Tips to Support Seasonal Mood Changes

By |2022-09-19T15:50:31+02:00September 14th, 2022|Categories: Anxiety, Everyday tips, Mental Health, Wellness|

What is Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)? Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), more informally referred to as Seasonal Depression or Winter Blues, involves depression related to seasonal changes. SAD begins and ends around the same time each year. Most typically SAD symptoms begin in the fall and resolve in the springtime. Occasionally SAD may cause depression [...]

Mental Health Resources to Support LGBTQ+

By |2022-10-02T21:05:19+02:00September 3rd, 2022|Categories: Adults, Mental Health, Relationships|

Mental Health in the LGBTQ+ Community Individuals in the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning, Intersex, Asexual (LGBTQ+) community experience overwhelmingly high rates of mental health problems. It is often found that mental health challenges in this community are largely due to discrimination, bias, and stigma related to their orientationWritten by Human Rights Campaign [...]

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