- Guilt and shame
- Mindfulness techniques
- CBT and ACT methods
About Elaine
Elaine Maher is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) practicing in Washington with 20 years of professional experience. She works with people facing stress, anxiety, grief, low self-esteem, depression, and major life changes. Elaine often addresses issues such as communication problems, forgiveness, guilt and shame, isolation, and questions about life purpose.
Elaine keeps sessions focused and practical. She listens to what is most pressing and helps people identify small, usable steps. She uses talk-based methods so people can sort through painful memories, examine unhelpful thinking, and try different ways of responding. Sessions are straightforward and paced to what each person can manage.
Her approach draws on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help people notice thoughts and try new behaviors. She also uses Client-Centered and Narrative Therapy ideas to let clients shape their stories and values. Mindfulness techniques are offered to help with stress and panic symptoms.
People come for help with acute anxiety, panic attacks, grief after a loss, and the heavy self-judgment that follows mistakes. Elaine also works with those feeling stuck during life transitions or struggling with loneliness and social anxiety. She supports practical problem solving alongside emotional processing.
Sessions combine short-term goals with longer-term reflection. Elaine and the person she works with decide together what to focus on and how to measure progress. To begin, people complete an intake and set a first appointment using the site's booking path.
How Elaine uses therapy approaches online
Elaine commonly draws on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in her work. ACT helps people clarify what matters most and practice small actions that align with those values, which can reduce the hold of shame and guilt. CBT focuses on spotting thought patterns and testing them with practical exercises to reduce anxiety and depressive thinking.She also uses Client-Centered and Narrative Therapy ideas to let clients tell their story and decide what fits them. Working together, she and the person will review goals and try different approaches until something feels useful. Figuring out the right mix of methods is a collaborative process rather than a one-size-fits-all plan.
Confirm the exact online session formats before booking, as they are not listed here. Many people find that meeting remotely makes it easier to fit sessions into a busy week, allows shorter check-ins when needed, and reduces travel time. Elaine will discuss scheduling and practical arrangements so sessions can fit into everyday life while focusing on dealing with guilt, shame, anxiety, or grief.
Areas of expertise
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
20+ years
Listed in
Washington
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does she work with?
She works with stress, anxiety, grief, self-esteem issues, depression, and coping with life changes, plus related concerns like guilt and shame.
How would she approach shame or guilt?
She uses talk-based methods and approaches such as ACT and CBT to help people notice judgments, reframe thoughts, and try different behaviors.
What is her clinical background?
She has 20 years of professional experience and practices as a LICSW in Washington.
Where is she licensed and based?
She is licensed in Washington and provides services from that location.
Does she work in other languages or internationally?
Sessions are offered in English and she does not accept international clients.
What session formats are available?
Confirm current session options before booking since formats are not specified on the profile.
How does pricing work?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I start a first session?
Select the "See online therapy options" button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger or thinking about harming yourself, use the crisis numbers.