Elaine Andell, MSW, LCSW

Hi, I’m Elaine! I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker specializing in individual therapy for teens and adults who are healing from complex trauma, attachment wounds, and the mental health symptoms that often arise from adverse experiences.

Since 2018, I have been dedicated to the mental health field, with approximately six years serving as a therapist. I believe that understanding the journey your brain has gone through can lead to profound insights and healing.

Complex trauma can convince us of harmful beliefs, such as, “I’m not good enough,” “My needs are too much for others,” or “I can’t trust anyone.” Even when we intellectually know these thoughts may no longer hold true, they can significantly impact how we feel, behave, and connect with others.

These challenges may manifest as difficulties in maintaining healthy relationships, perfectionism, anxiety, people-pleasing, difficulty trusting others, or a strong need to control even the smallest details of life.

These patterns often emerged for a reason, and I believe they can be transformed. Through techniques like EMDR therapy, attachment-focused therapy, and other evidence-based methods, we will work together to comprehend these patterns, reduce shame, process painful experiences, and guide you toward lasting healing.

My approach goes beyond simply asking, “What’s wrong?” I aim to help you understand what happened, how you adapted, and what you need now.

Elaine Andell, MSW, LCSW

Phone: 314-881-9492

Email: elaine@resiliencegardenstl.com

In-Person Therapy: Creve Coeur / St. Louis, Missouri

Telehealth Therapy: Available throughout Missouri

I provide individual therapy for teens and adults dealing with complex trauma, attachment difficulties, emotional distress, and relationship concerns. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, I specialize in understanding the nuances of these challenges. You may find benefit in working with me if you often think: 

“I know this shouldn’t bother me this much, but it does.”  

“I don’t understand why I keep ending up in the same relationship patterns.”  

“I have a hard time trusting people.”  

“I feel like I have to keep everything under control.”  

“No matter what I accomplish, I still don’t feel good enough.”  

“I understand my past logically, but I still feel affected by it.”  

“I’m tired of carrying things that happened years ago.”  

For many clients, complex trauma arises not just from a singular event, but also from repeated experiences of rejection, instability, emotional neglect, unhealthy relationships, or an absence of consistently met emotional needs.  

Through individual therapy, we create a judgment-free space to explore these experiences and differentiate your present self from the beliefs and survival patterns formed in the past.  

Elaine offers in-person therapy in the Creve Coeur/St. Louis area as well as EMDR therapy and telehealth services for clients across Missouri, ensuring everyone has access to effective relationship counseling.

Elaine’s areas of focus as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker include: 

- Complex trauma 

- PTSD 

- Attachment wounds and attachment insecurity 

- Anxiety 

- Depression 

- Relationship difficulties 

- Emotional regulation 

- Self-esteem and negative core beliefs 

- Perfectionism 

- Shame 

- Codependency 

- Family conflict 

- Domestic abuse and domestic violence 

- Self-harm 

- Suicidal thoughts and crisis-related concerns 

- Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) 

- Bipolar Disorder 

- Mood disorders 

- Personality disorders 

- Impulse-control concerns 

- Burnout and chronic stress 

- Life transitions 

- Divorce 

- Peer and interpersonal relationships 

- Women’s issues 

- Identity concerns 

- LGBTQIA+ and transgender concerns 

- First responder mental health 

Elaine approaches symptoms through a trauma-informed lens, utilizing techniques like EMDR therapy to address complex trauma. She recognizes that behaviors and emotional responses that seem confusing today may have developed as ways of coping, protecting oneself, or maintaining connection during earlier experiences. In addition to individual therapy, she offers relationship counseling to help clients navigate their interpersonal challenges.

Depending on each client’s needs and treatment goals, Elaine, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, may incorporate evidence-based and trauma-informed approaches for treating complex trauma such as: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Trauma-Focused CBT, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Motivational Interviewing, Narrative Therapy, mindfulness-based approaches, Behavioral Activation, Person-Centered Therapy, Strength-Based Therapy, Animal-Assisted Therapy, and EMDR Therapy (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing). Attachment-Focused Therapy is also an integral part of her individual therapy sessions. 

More Info about EMDR Therapy and Attachment-Focused Therapy: 

EMDR Therapy

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is one of the primary approaches Elaine utilizes in trauma treatment for complex trauma. Traumatic and adverse experiences can lead to deeply held negative beliefs about ourselves, like "I’m powerless," "I’m not safe," "I’m not good enough," or "I can’t trust anyone." Even after these experiences have ended, our nervous system may still react as if the original threat is present. EMDR provides a structured method for processing distressing memories and the associated beliefs, emotions, and physical responses. The aim is not to erase the past but to help it feel like something that has happened rather than something that controls the present. 

Attachment-Focused Therapy

Early and significant relationships can greatly influence how we experience closeness, trust, vulnerability, rejection, boundaries, and emotional safety. Attachment-focused therapy enables Elaine and her clients to explore these patterns with curiosity rather than shame. Together, you can identify how past relationships may be affecting your current ones and work towards healthier, more secure ways of connecting with yourself and others through relationship counseling.

Therapy is not one-size-fits-all. Treatment can be adapted based on your unique experiences, goals, comfort level, and readiness for deeper trauma work.

Elaine earned her Master of Social Work (MSW) from Saint Louis University in 2020 and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Missouri. She has been dedicated to the mental health field since 2018 and has approximately six years of experience specifically as a therapist, focusing on complex trauma and individual therapy.

Her professional background encompasses various areas, including school-based mental health, crisis intervention, suicide prevention, community mental health, and trauma-informed care. During her graduate training at Saint Louis University, Elaine participated in a practicum at Hazelwood West High School. When schools closed during the COVID-19 pandemic, she worked closely with families and community agencies to connect students with resources while providing short-term emotional support to them virtually.

During this period, Elaine also answered crisis hotlines through Provident Crisis Services, including the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Her responsibilities involved crisis intervention, risk assessment, and supporting individuals facing significant emotional and mental health concerns. Additionally, Elaine is trained in EMDR therapy, enabling her to incorporate specialized trauma-processing techniques in her relationship counseling and work with clients.

These experiences profoundly influence her therapeutic approach today: compassionate, trauma-informed, collaborative, and rooted in understanding the experiences underlying a person’s symptoms.

Elaine, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, currently accepts the following insurance plans for services including individual therapy, relationship counseling, and EMDR therapy for complex trauma: 

- Aetna 

- Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield 

- Ascension 

- Carelon Behavioral Health 

- Cigna 

Please note that insurance coverage and behavioral health benefits can vary by individual plan. Clients are encouraged to verify their specific eligibility, coverage, and benefits before beginning services.

For clients who prefer not to use insurance or whose insurance does not cover these services, Elaine offers self-pay sessions at $100 per 55-minute session.

When I’m not in the office as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, I’m usually fostering an unreasonable amount of rescued rabbits, collecting more houseplants than any one person needs, and enthusiastically yelling at football games—go Chiefs! Animals, plants, and a little humor are all important parts of my life outside of providing individual therapy. I believe that therapy, including EMDR therapy for complex trauma, can make room for the difficult parts of life while still leaving space for personality, connection, curiosity, and laughter. I also enjoy relationship counseling, which helps foster deeper connections and understanding.

I look forward to getting to know you and helping you build a life that feels more like your own.

Elaine is currently accepting new clients for individual therapy in the Creve Coeur/St. Louis area, as well as telehealth therapy throughout Missouri. 

If you are searching for an EMDR therapist in St. Louis, a trauma therapist in Creve Coeur, or need support for complex trauma, PTSD, attachment wounds, anxiety, depression, or relationship patterns, Elaine encourages you to reach out.

Elaine Andell, MSW, LCSW

Phone: 314-881-9492

Email: elaine@resiliencegardenstl.com

In-Person Therapy: Creve Coeur / St. Louis, Missouri

Telehealth Therapy: Available throughout Missouri

You can contact Elaine by phone or email to learn more about scheduling individual therapy or to arrange a free consultation for relationship counseling.