Janel "Elle" Zimmerman

Compassionate clinician guiding practical change

LCSW Florida

Experience: 14 years in practice
Focus areas: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Bipolar
Approaches: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Languages: English

About Janel

Janel "Elle" Zimmerman brings 14 years of clinical experience as an LCSW in Florida and works with people facing stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, bipolar disorder, depression, and major life transitions.

Background and approach

She emphasizes a compassionate, individualized approach that aims to help clients move through difficult emotions and develop practical coping skills. Her work often addresses related concerns such as attachment challenges, body image, chronic illness and pain, caregiver stress, and communication and control issues.

Grounded in several evidence-informed methods, her style blends structured techniques with empathic listening so clients can identify patterns, test new behaviors, and build greater psychological flexibility. She creates a supportive, nonjudgmental space where exploration and skill-building occur side by side, helping clients recover from past hurts and navigate changes in work, relationships, or health.

Janel prefers to tailor each plan to the person in front of her, guiding clients toward clearer goals and sustainable strategies for managing symptoms and improving daily functioning.

How targeted approaches translate to online therapy

Janel integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy into online work to help clients manage distressing thoughts and develop values-driven actions. CBT focuses on identifying unhelpful thinking and learning practical strategies to change patterns that contribute to anxiety, depression, or mood instability. ACT emphasizes accepting difficult internal experiences while clarifying personal values and committing to behaviors that build a meaningful life.

Finding the right therapeutic approach is a collaborative process. She will work with each person to assess goals, preferences, and presenting concerns, then adapt methods like CBT or ACT to fit individual needs and the rhythm of remote sessions rather than applying a single technique rigidly.

Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging, offering flexibility for those balancing work, caregiving, or health limitations. These options allow for consistent contact, between-session skill practice, and the ability to access therapy from different locations while maintaining a steady therapeutic relationship with a licensed professional.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does Janel commonly address?

Her practice focuses on stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, bipolar disorder, depression, and coping with life changes, with attention to related issues like attachment, body image, chronic illness, and caregiver stress.

What is her therapeutic style and approach?

She combines empathic, client-centered listening with structured techniques drawn from CBT, ACT, DBT, attachment-based work, and emotionally focused practices to help clients build skills and insight.

How much clinical experience does she have?

She has 14 years of experience practicing as a licensed clinical social worker and has worked with a wide range of emotional and life challenges during that time.

What are her credentials and where is she located?

She is an LCSW licensed in Florida with licence number FL LCSW SW19881 and maintains a practice based in Florida.

Does she offer services in other languages or to international clients?

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

Which session formats are available?

Clients can work with her through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging depending on what fits their needs and schedule.

How are session costs handled?

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

What are the first steps to begin therapy?

To start, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule sessions according to therapist availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, Anxiety Trauma and abuseBipolar disorderDepression Coping with life changes

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentAging and geriatric issuesAttachment issuesAutism and Asperger SyndromeAvoidant personalityBlended family issuesBody imageCancerCaregiver issues and stressChronic pain, illness, and disabilityCo-morbidityCodependencyCommitment issuesCommunication problemsControl issuesCoping with natural or human-caused disasterDependent personalityDisruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)DissociationDivorce and separationDomestic violenceDrug and alcohol addictionEating and food-related issuesEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFatherhood issuesFertility issuesFirst responder issuesForgivenessGuilt and shameHospice and end-of-life counselingImpulsivityInfidelityIsolation / lonelinessJealousyLife purposeMen's issuesMidlife crisisVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesMoney and financial issuesMood disorders Obsessions, compulsions, and OCD Panic disorder and panic attacksParanoiaPersonality disordersPhobiasPostpartum depressionPost-traumatic stressPregnancy and childbirthSeasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-harmSelf-loveSexual assault and abuseSexualitySocial anxiety and phobiaSomatizationTraumatic brain injuryWomen's issuesWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Attachment-Based TherapyClient-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)Mindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingPsychodynamic TherapySolution-Focused TherapyTrauma-Focused TherapyInternal Family Systems

Experience

14+ years

Licensed

Florida

Languages

English