Gabriela Elias BA, BSW, MSW, RSW Trauma and Couples Therapist

I specialize in Trauma Therapy with adults, children and teens as well as in Couples Therapy. I have been providing clinical therapy for the past 20 years and feel like I have found my calling. Whichever path you want to take and explore, I promise to be there for you every step of your journey. With individual and couples therapy my goal is to help you grow from your struggles, heal from your pain, and move forward to where you want to be in your life.

Individual Therapy

You may feel anxious, depressed, stressed out or you are struggling with loss & grief or want to get control of your emotions. You may struggle with a number of trauma related symptoms such as nightmares, flashbacks, PTSD and negative thoughts. Specific trauma therapy such as EMDR therapy and/or EFIT (Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy) can help you heal from your trauma experiences, reduce your symptoms and increase your confidence, building strengths & resiliency.

Common issues I have experience in:

Domestic violence/abuse
Childhood trauma from sexual abuse, emotional/verbal abuse, physical abuse and neglect
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Traumatic events experienced by first responders, war veterans/military, police, EMS, etc.)
Torture and war trauma
Trauma due to natural disasters
Sexual assault/rape
Physical assault
Attachment trauma
Bullying & workplace harassment
Experiences of loss & grief
Trauma from motor vehicle accidents or Medical trauma
Phobias
Anxiety, Depression, Stress
Low self-esteem
Emotional regulation and coping skills
Parenting issues
Anger Management & Behavioral issues

Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy

You may feel like you are having the same argument with your partner over and over again. Daily stress piles up and you grow further apart from one another, feeling tension and disconnect. You feel alone in your relationship. You feel frustrated, angry and hopeless, asking yourself what went wrong. You are tired of arguments and long for the love and emotional connection you felt at the beginning of your relationship. Most couples get stuck in a negative cycle and the cycle is the problem no matter what you argue about. Many couples say they struggle with their communication and they feel misunderstood by their partner. You may argue about topics related to finances, chores, parenting, your in-laws and many other things. I guarantee you that no matter what your argument is about, the pattern is the same. As an EFT trained therapist, I have a road map to help you understand your negative pattern and help you shift it in a positive direction. I don’t side with one partner or the other during couples counseling, but look for the meaning of why people do what they do. Together we will untangle this stuck pattern and find the emotional connection, love, and peace that you want in your relationship.

“The most functional way to regulate difficult emotions in love relationships is to share them.” Sue Johnson