“We’re not alone in our struggles, but we are active and empowered agents of change in our lives.”

From an early age, Elizabeth Imelio, LICSW felt called to help others. When she discovered mental health counseling in college, she realized that her natural abilities to be a caring, empathetic, and compassionate person found a setting to thrive in.

Elizabeth builds strong connections with clients through her authenticity. Her willingness to be herself reminds clients that she’s human and that she struggles at different times in her life, too. 

Elizabeth’s approach to therapy is person centered and trauma-informed. She utilizes Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and solutions-focused therapy to help individuals gain awareness of, and as a result become more intentional with their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.

Elizabeth’s work is grounded in recent findings in neuroscience which show that trauma can negatively impact our brain functioning, and therapeutic interventions which support our natural healing process can create positive change. 

Elizabeth has advanced training in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), a science-based intervention proven to help people reprocess traumatic memories to make them less emotionally intense and overwhelming. 

We sat down with Elizabeth to learn more about her background in the field and approach to working with clients online and in-person from our West Springfield office.

What inspired you to work in the mental health field?

I’ve always been drawn to the helping profession. Originally, I wanted to be a teacher and work with children with autism spectrum disorder.

When I discovered mental health counseling in college, I realized that my abilities to listen and empathize with other people’s struggles found a setting to thrive in. 

I received my Master’s of Social Work from Springfield College. I’ve worked with adolescents, young adults, and couples as an outpatient clinician in community mental health settings, and I’ve worked as a clinical supervisor before joining HBH.

How would you describe your therapeutic style and approach?

My approach to therapy is person-centered and integrative. I focus on connecting with the client from an open-minded and authentic perspective. 

I’ll utilize contemplative practices which focus on improving emotional regulation and cognitive functioning to create positive changes, such as Dialectical-Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and solutions-focused therapy. 

As a trauma-informed therapist, I’m curious about the clients’ early childhood experiences. I’ll help the client understand how old patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving can impact their present circumstances and defend against growth. We’ll then learn how to rebuild feelings of safety, empowerment, and agency in their lives. 

During EMDR therapy, I’ll help the client process and change the way a traumatic memory is stored in the brain by using eye movements.

What mental health challenges and life situations do provide counseling for?

I’ll help adolescents, adults, older adults, and couples work through the following mental health challenges: 

• Anxiety/Panic/Phobias
• Depression
• LGBTQ+ issues
• Trauma
• Personality Disorders
• Grief/Loss/Bereavement
• Eating Disorders (Anorexia/Bulimia/Binge Eating)
• Academic/Occupational/Work Issues/Career

What’s your favorite part of being a therapist?

I really love building positive relationships with clients and supporting them as they make meaningful and lasting changes in their lives.

I’ll always remind the client that they are the empowered agents of their lives. I’ll safely support them throughout the process, but they’re doing the work to show up for themselves and improve their lives.

What informed your belief that we can change and improve our lives?

I believe that every person is capable of achieving what they want to do. 

I understand that life can be very difficult, but at the end of the day every human being is deserving of a life worth living. 

I know that I can’t change the world, but if I can help one person change their world, that’s good enough for me.

Start working with Elizabeth Imelio, LICSW today:

If you’re looking for a therapist to start your healing journey with, Elizabeth Imelio, LICSW is eager to work with you. 

To schedule an appointment with Elizabeth, please contact us today at (413) 343-4357.

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