Beginning when Elle earned her bachelor’s degree from Hampshire College in the Pioneer Valley, she has spent her behavioral health care career helping youth. For her Suffolk University master’s thesis project, Elle made a short documentary film addressing the systemic difficulty of accessing mental health care. She later earned her Master in Social Work at Smith College. After graduation, she focused on individual, family, group, and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy. Elle dedicated herself to working with those struggling with or in recovery from substance abuse. For 7 years, Elle was a clinical supervisor and residential program director at a recovery facility.
She approaches Let’s Talk in a way that allows students to share their stories and feel connected. Elle has fallen in love with the university’s rich and exciting environment and loves being able to see students grow through their time at UMass. Some of the ways Elle identifies include Jewish, white, heterosexual, cisgender, ally, and an adoptee.
When she’s not at CCPH, Elle can be found having fun at home with her family, pets (2 fish, 1 dog, 2 cats, and 6 chickens) or tapping maple trees and enjoying nature.
Position at CCPH: Coordinator of Community Outreach, Interim Coordinator of Social Work Training, Clinical Social Worker
Year joined UMass: 2014
Clinical Interests: Experience with a variety of populations, with a particular interest in working with young adults and families. Areas of focus include: individual therapy, trauma work, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, substance use, addiction, and recovery, outreach and training.
Education: Master of Social Work from Smith College; Master of Science-Philanthropy and Media, Suffolk University; Bachelor of Arts, Hampshire College
Professional Experience: Psychotherapy with adolescents, families, and individuals, substance abuse/dependence/recovery, crisis, and outreach training. Experience with in-patient and residential treatment.
Certifications/Licenses: Massachusetts License Independent Social Work
Memberships: National Association of Social Workers
More about me: “The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance.” - Alan Watts