Elliana Wolnisty

You may have spent a long time adapting to survive; managing anxiety, people-pleasing, dissociation, perfectionism, shame, or relationships that leave you feeling unseen. Maybe you’re carrying trauma that still lives in your body, or you’re trying to understand yourself more deeply outside the expectations you grew up with. Therapy can be a place to untangle those stories and reconnect with who you actually are.

I received my masters in Counseling Psychology and Drama Therapy from the California Institute of Integral Studies in 2022. For the last 5 years I've specialized in supporting people of all ages and identities through recovering from trauma - from single incidents to complex and lifelong harm. Together, we might explore identity, relationships, grief, embodiment, intimacy, meaning, family dynamics, work stressors, or the parts of yourself that have been hidden, rejected, or overworked for a long time. Let’s explore the patterns that helped you survive in the past and move towards the future you want.

My approach blends trauma-informed and evidence based therapies with existential exploration, curiosity, and creativity. I work especially well with LGBTQ+ adults, creatives, highly sensitive people, and those navigating complex trauma, identity exploration, burnout, shame, or major life transitions.

Along with being trained in Drama Therapy, I've also completed basic level training in Eye-Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR), which is a treatment method that can be effective for treating trauma and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

The first few sessions are primarily for getting to know each other. We'll review essential information about your rights as a client, you'll have plenty of time to share what's important to you (such as what brings you to therapy including your goals, current life circumstances, and history as much as you're willing to share), I'll share about my approach as a therapist, and we'll decide together how to approach each session and where to focus our energies.