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AE Portrait of Amy Elam

Amy Elam

Practical, compassionate therapy for life challenges

LMSW Michigan

Experience
30 years in practice
Focus areas
Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Self esteem
Approaches
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Client-Centered Therapy
Languages
English
Continue with Amy

About Amy

Amy Elam is a licensed social worker in Michigan with 30 years of professional experience and a long-standing focus on cognitive behavioral approaches.

Background and approach

She draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy along with client-centered, mindfulness, dialectical behavior, and emotionally-focused techniques to help people manage stress, anxiety, low self-esteem, relationship difficulties, depression, and life transitions. Her practice emphasizes practical tools and skills alongside exploration of underlying patterns to support more effective coping and clearer decision making.

With a background that includes school social work and independent practice, she has developed familiarity with educational systems and special education evaluation processes. Amy approaches each person with respect, sensitivity, and compassion, adapting conversations and treatment plans to each individual’s circumstances.

She encourages clients to view the first step toward therapy as a meaningful act of courage and supports them through the early steps of engagement and goal-setting.

Evidence-Informed Approaches for Online Care

Many clients benefit from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, which focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thoughts and behaviors to reduce symptoms like anxiety, low mood, and stress. Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes a supportive, nonjudgmental relationship where the therapist helps clients explore their own goals and values to build self-understanding and confidence. Dialectical Behavior Therapy combines skill-building around emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness and can be helpful when emotions feel overwhelming or relationships are strained.

Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will work with each person to consider presenting concerns, personal goals, and preferences, and will tailor methods and pacing so the work feels useful and practical for the client’s life.

Offering video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging makes therapy more accessible for varied schedules and circumstances. These options support flexibility in how and when people engage, enabling follow-through on skill practice and consistent contact that fits individual routines and needs.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does this therapist commonly address?
Amy works with stress, anxiety, relationship difficulties, self-esteem issues, depression, and coping with life changes, and also focuses on areas such as abandonment, attachment issues, body image, and impulsivity.
How would you describe the therapeutic approach and style?
The practice blends Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with client-centered, mindfulness, DBT, and emotionally-focused methods to offer practical skills and supportive exploration tailored to each person.
What is the therapist's background and experience?
She brings three decades of professional experience and has worked in school settings as well as independent practice, giving her familiarity with educational processes and varied client needs.
Where is the therapist licensed and what credential do they hold?
The clinician is licensed in Michigan and holds the LMSW credential with licence details MI LMSW 6801089716.
Are sessions available in languages other than English or to international clients?
Sessions are offered in English, and the therapist accepts international clients.
What session formats are offered for online work?
Clients can meet via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging depending on preference and availability.
How are fees and payments handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What are the steps to begin working with this therapist?
To get started, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions according to the therapist's availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesSelf esteemDepressionCoping with life changes

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentAdoption and foster careAntisocial personalityAttachment issuesAutism and Asperger SyndromeAvoidant personalityBody imageCommitment issuesCommunication problemsControl issuesDependent personalityDisruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)EmptinessForgivenessImpulsivityIsolation / lonelinessJealousyLife purposeMood disordersPanic disorder and panic attacksPersonality disordersSeasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-harmSelf-loveSocial anxiety and phobiaWomen's issuesWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)Mindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingSolution-Focused Therapy

Experience

30+ years

Licensed

Michigan

Languages

English