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Partner 1: “I reach for you, but it feels like you’re already gone.” I’m left wondering if I matter to you at all.” Partner 2: “When you come close, I feel the pressure to be perfect, so I pull back to protect us both.” These unspoken messages leave couples lonely and stuck. I help break this anxious–avoidant cycle so partners feel safe, seen, and deeply connected again.

“I don’t understand why I want closeness so badly, yet feel disappointed when I have it. Why do I feel lonelier than others, even when I’m not alone?” Or: “I care deeply, but people say I’m distant or hard to read. When emotions get intense, I shut down—not because I don’t feel, but because it feels like too much.”

These quiet tensions live beneath awareness for many people. Longing and self-protection pull in opposite directions. Needs feel confusing, emotions feel overwhelming or unsafe, and core beliefs quietly form—I’m too much, I’m not enough, connection costs me something.

I help people loosen these patterns, reconcile the Self with more truthful and adaptive beliefs, and move toward self-acceptance and interdependence—where connection no longer threatens safety, but deepens it.

After nine years serving in the U.S. Coast Guard, I realized my deepest fulfillment came not from fixing systems, but from walking with people. Leaving the military was not a departure from service—it was a continuation of it. I pursued social work and theological training to better support people in their most important relationships. Today, my practice is devoted to couples counseling and trauma-informed care. Drawing primarily from Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and EMDR, I help couples slow conflict, understand what drives disconnection, and emotional safety. As a veteran and seminary-trained therapist, I bring structure, compassion, and steady hope—meeting clients with respect, grace, and a belief in lasting change.

My name is Elana Isser. I am a licensed clinical social worker. in New Jersey, New York, and Maryland. I am a graduate of Columbia School of Social Work and I have worked with clients of all ages in hospital and outpatient telehealth settings. I use evidence-based treatments, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy in my work.

Now more than ever, people are feeling anxious, uncertain, down, and even overwhelmed in their lives. Trying to manage relationships, family, careers, and life responsibilities can lead to pushing away your own needs or putting them at the bottom of the to-do list. Maybe you feel stuck at work, are grieving past losses, or struggle within relationships. Each person ‘s suffering is unique, and therapy should be guided by their individual needs. Whether you are hoping to solve a specific problem by meeting a few times or seeking to address long-standing injuries or vulnerabilities, I will work compassionately and practically to find ways to create paths to relief and develop a deeper understanding of what is troubling you or getting in the way of your endeavors and desires. I am a clinical psychologist with extensive training and experience in working with adults, adolescents, couples, and parents, for therapy, consultation, and life coaching. My primary interests include couples therapy, anxiety, ADHD, cognitive and memory difficulties, depression, grief and loss, life transitions, women’s/men’s issues, and culturally sensitive counseling.

I work with children, teens, adults, and couples who feel overwhelmed by anxiety, depression, trauma, or relationship challenges. Many feel stuck, emotionally exhausted, or unsure how to move forward. They come seeking clarity, healing, and peace. I provide a supportive, nonjudgmental space where they can process their experiences, build coping skills, and rediscover their strength helping them move from survival to stability and confidence.

I’ve been working in the mental health field for nearly a decade and bring a deep commitment to helping individuals heal, grow, and thrive. I hold a Master’s Degree in Forensic Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology in Washington, DC and a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from Marshall University in Huntington, WV. These academic foundations, combined with years of hands-on experience, have shaped my compassionate, informed, and client-centered approach to therapy.

Most recently I was serving as a Licensed Clinical Therapist where I provided individual and group therapy in an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) for adults facing complex mental health and substance use challenges. I am currently working at a small group practice treating adults with stress, anxiety, depression, ptsd, and more. I hold sessions on the weekend and in the morning one a week.

At the heart of my practice is a belief in the power of authentic connection. I strive to create a safe, supportive, and non-judgmental space where clients feel empowered to explore difficult emotions, build insight, and take meaningful steps toward lasting change.

I am a licensed clinical social worker, and I've been working in mental health for the past decade. I specialize in trauma, grief, anger, and communication.

Hi! As a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner and proud LGBTQ+ ally, I have extensive experience helping people navigate anxiety, depression, mood disorders, ADHD, trauma, and more. I have a special place in my practice for those dealing with depression or trauma rooted in relationships or family, because those experiences deserve thoughtful, dedicated care.

Your mental health journey matters to me, and I'm here to truly listen, not just to what you're saying, but to what you need. Together, we'll work toward solutions that are both compassionate and effective.