At a glance
- Credentials
- LICSW
- License
- LICSW, Minnesota / 1966
- NPI
- 1275781189
- Experience
- 15 years
- Languages
- English
- Location
- Minnesota
Details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. A license can be checked with the state board.
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- Motivational approach
- Goal focused
- Nonjudgmental listening
About Ellen
Ellen Dinsmore is a licensed clinical social worker who helps people manage stress, anxiety, depression, addiction, and related life challenges. She brings 15 years of experience and a straightforward, down-to-earth style. Ellen aims to make the first step easier for people who are nervous about starting therapy.
Her approach is collaborative. She works with each person to set practical goals and pick small steps that add up. Sessions focus on what matters most to the client and on skills that can be used between meetings.
Ellen blends several methods to match each person’s needs. She uses Motivational Interviewing to support change, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to clarify values and build flexible responses, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to notice and shift unhelpful thoughts and behaviors. Mindfulness and client-centered techniques are part of her everyday practice.
She aims to create a calm, respectful atmosphere where people can speak openly. Ellen emphasizes authenticity and listening without judgment. That approach helps clients feel understood while they try new ways to cope.
Many clients come with complex concerns such as trauma, grief, relationship strain, ADHD, or career stress. Ellen also supports people dealing with adoption and foster care issues, postpartum mood concerns, substance-related problems, identity questions, and mood or personality disorders. She helps people find realistic next steps and keeps work focused on what will improve daily life.
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How therapy approaches translate to online work
Motivational Interviewing helps people find their own reasons to change by exploring ambivalence and building on personal motivation; it can be useful for addictions, behavior change, and overcoming stuck patterns. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, or ACT, focuses on clarifying values and learning small, practical actions that align with those values while accepting difficult thoughts and feelings. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, looks at the links between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and teaches concrete skills to shift unhelpful patterns.
Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will work with the client to identify goals, try methods that fit the person’s style, and adjust the plan as needed. That helps keep therapy focused and relevant to everyday concerns.
Session format options are not listed in the biography, so confirm current online session choices before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy life, offer quicker check-ins when needed, and allow people to attend from wherever they are located in Minnesota. It can also let someone use shorter phone or video meetings for brief coaching or longer sessions for deeper work, depending on what the therapist and client agree will be most helpful. -
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
LGBTRelationship issuesFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseGriefAnger managementSelf esteemBipolar disorderCoping with life changesCoachingCompassion fatigueADHDAdditional focus areas
Adoption and foster careAntisocial personalityAttachment issuesCodependencyDomestic violenceDrug and alcohol addictionEmptinessGender dysphoriaIsolation / lonelinessLife purposeVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesMood disordersPersonality disordersPostpartum depressionPost-traumatic stressSeasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Sexual assault and abuseSocial anxiety and phobiaWorkplace issuesTherapeutic approaches
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Mindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingExperience
15+ years
Listed in
Minnesota
Languages
English
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Frequently asked questions
What concerns does Ellen help with?
Ellen supports people facing stress, anxiety, depression, addictions, relationship and family strain, trauma and abuse, grief, anger, self-esteem issues, bipolar concerns, ADHD, and coping with life changes.
What is her therapeutic style?
She uses a collaborative, down-to-earth approach that focuses on practical goals and concrete steps. Sessions emphasize honest conversation and respectful listening.
How much professional experience does she have?
She has 15 years of professional experience working in clinical settings and helping people with a wide range of emotional and behavioral concerns.
What credentials and region are associated with Ellen?
She is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker, listed as MN LICSW, and practices in Minnesota.
Which languages are offered and are international clients accepted?
Sessions are offered in English, and international clients are not currently accepted.
What session formats are available?
Session formats are not specified in the biography; please confirm current session options before booking to make sure they fit your needs.
How are fees and payment structured?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability, and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with Ellen?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability.
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Online talk therapy is not emergency or medical care. Stopping or cutting down alcohol or other drugs can be unsafe without medical advice. In immediate danger? Crisis numbers