Ellen Thornton-Love

Compassionate, practical support for life’s challenges

LCSW Oregon

Experience: 20 years in practice
Focus areas: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Grief
Approaches: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Languages: English

About Ellen

Ellen Thornton-Love is an Oregon-based licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) who supports people navigating stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief, parenting challenges, and depression.

Background and approach

With 20 years of professional experience, she focuses on creating a respectful, compassionate space and adapts conversations and care plans to the individual needs of each client. Her practice emphasizes collaboration and practical strategies drawn from evidence-informed approaches, including cognitive behavioral techniques alongside acceptance-based and client-centered methods.

Ellen centers the client’s goals and priorities, helping people build coping skills, clarify values, and make meaningful changes at their own pace. She recognizes the courage it takes to seek help and aims to be a steady, supportive presence through moments of transition and recovery.

Ellen works with a broad range of concerns beyond core specialties, addressing issues such as attachment and family of origin dynamics, caregiver stress, chronic illness and pain, communication difficulties, impulsivity, financial stress, mood and panic disorders, postpartum depression, and effects of sexual assault. She conducts sessions in English and practices in Oregon as LCSW L6833.

Approach and Access for Online Care

Many clients find cognitive behavioral therapy helpful for identifying upsetting thoughts and testing new, practical ways of responding to stress, anxiety, and mood concerns. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy emphasizes values and present-moment awareness to support coping with difficult feelings and improving daily functioning. Client-centered therapy focuses on a respectful, nonjudgmental relationship that helps people explore their priorities and feel understood.

Deciding which approach fits best is part of the collaborative process. The therapist will work with the client to clarify goals, consider different methods, and adapt techniques to individual preferences and needs rather than prescribing a single path from the outset.

Online sessions are offered via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to increase flexibility for clients balancing work, caregiving, or mobility constraints. These options allow people to engage in therapy from home or other convenient locations, choose the communication style that feels most comfortable, and schedule sessions in ways that fit their routines.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of concerns does Ellen commonly address?

She works with stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief, parenting issues, and depression, and also helps with related areas like attachment issues, caregiver stress, chronic pain and illness, and communication problems.

What therapeutic style can I expect in sessions?

The approach is collaborative and client-centered, blending cognitive behavioral techniques with acceptance-based and solution-focused methods to tailor support to each person's needs.

How much clinical experience does the therapist have?

Ellen brings 20 years of professional experience to her practice, applying that background across a range of emotional and life challenges.

What credentials and location are associated with this practice?

She is a licensed clinical social worker in Oregon, listed as OR LCSW L6833.

Does Ellen offer services in languages other than English or to international clients?

Sessions are provided in English, and she is not currently accepting international clients.

What session formats are available for online work?

Clients can choose video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to fit their scheduling and communication preferences.

How is pricing structured for therapy with this clinician?

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

What are the first steps to begin working together?

Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, filling out a short matching questionnaire, and then scheduling according to the therapist's availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, Anxiety Trauma and abuse GriefParenting issuesDepression

Additional focus areas

Attachment issuesCaregiver issues and stressChronic pain, illness, and disabilityCommunication problemsFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsImpulsivityMidlife crisisMoney and financial issuesMood disorders Panic disorder and panic attacksPostpartum depressionPost-traumatic stress Self-harmSexual assault and abuseSocial anxiety and phobiaWomen's issuesWorkplace issues

Therapeutic approaches

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Motivational InterviewingSolution-Focused TherapyTrauma-Focused Therapy

Experience

20+ years

Licensed

Oregon

Languages

English