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.

Is your Phone Causing Anxiety?

By |June 2nd, 2022|Categories: Anxiety, CBT, Everyday tips, Mental Health, Social Anxiety|

As of 2022, it is a rarity to find anyone without a cell phone. A great majority of people have ditched landlines, transferring themselves to full-time cell phone usage. Nearly five billion people use mobile phones throughout the globe, with three million of those accessing the Internet on a regular basisWritten by Physician One Urgent [...]

What are Cognitive Distortions & How to Combat Them

By |May 28th, 2022|Categories: Anxiety, CBT, Everyday tips, Mental Health|

What are Cognitive Distortions? Cognitive Distortions, sometimes referred to as Thought Traps, are defined as 'faulty or inaccurate thinking, perception or belief.' Cognitive distortions are typically negative, not positive. Oftentimes, these thoughts pop up and disappear just as quickly. However, sometimes these thought traps become a pattern that ends up interfering with day-to-day life and [...]

How Social Anxiety Impacts Romantic Relationships & What to do

By |May 7th, 2022|Categories: Adults, Anxiety, Mental Health, Relationships|

What is Social Anxiety? Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) is a disorder in which individuals find themselves experiencing significant anxiety, self consciousness, and embarrassment from everyday interactions, due to fear of being judged negatively by othersWritten by Mayo Clinic . Social Anxiety can lead to avoidance, which can be incredibly disruptive of day-to-day life. It has [...]

How to Utilize CBT for Intrusive Thoughts

By |April 30th, 2022|Categories: CBT, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Everyday tips, Mental Health|

Imagine you are sitting in bed relaxing when out of no where you have an unsettling thought. The thought feels random and unprompted, which leads to fear and anxiety. This can feel uncomfortable and may lead to feeling guilty for having the thought. While these thoughts are, in reality, of no harm to you, they [...]

How to Utilize CBT for Social Anxiety

By |April 23rd, 2022|Categories: Adults, Anxiety, CBT, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Mental Health, Panic attack, Personal development, Phobia, Social Anxiety|

We all have our moments where we find ourselves feeling anxious in social situations. Social anxiety may be brought on by the social situation, such as meeting a significant other's family for the first time. It also can be due to the people you find yourself surrounded with, such as new groups of individuals [...]

How to Utilize CBT for Trauma

By |April 9th, 2022|Categories: CBT, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Mental Health, Panic attack, PTSD|

What is Trauma? Trauma is defined as "an emotional response to a terrible event like an accident, rape or natural disaster."Written by American Psychological Association . Trauma can be a multitude of things and can differ from one person to the next. What is traumatic to one person may not be to someone else, [...]

How to Create and Reach Personal Goals

By |April 5th, 2022|Categories: Everyday tips, Personal development, Wellness|

I hear people talk constantly about different goals they have for themselves, yet they express difficulty achieving these goals. These desires may be to read a book every week of the year, to lose weight, or to cut down on spending. For far too many people these goals end in disappointment, not for lack [...]

How to Utilize CBT for Sleep Problems

By |March 22nd, 2022|Categories: CBT, Everyday tips, Mental Health, Wellness|Tags: , |

Sleep is one of the most important factors in having a healthy, balanced lifestyle. Sleep can determine our mood, behavior, level of activity, and so on. Most people can say that if they do not sleep well one night, the next day or even next few days may result in feeling sluggish and irritable. [...]

How to Deal with Anxiety Related to War in Ukraine

By |March 15th, 2022|Categories: Anxiety, Everyday tips, Health, Mental Health, PTSD|

On February 24th, 2022, Russia declared war on Ukraine. Many people have found themselves feeling uneasy about this trying time and have questioned how to handle yet another world crisis. Some would like to stand up and fight with Ukraine and others are concerned about the safety of their home country. The last two years [...]

6 Signs of Enmeshment & What to Do

By |March 2nd, 2022|Categories: CBT, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Everyday tips, Mental Health, Parenting, Personal development, Relationships|

What is Enmeshment? As relational beings, we have the core desire to love and be loved. This desire is inherently GOOD, but certain factors can cause this desire to become distorted. One way love and connection can become distorted is through enmeshment. Enmeshment is when the lives of two or more people become so intertwined [...]

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