About Elena

How I Became A Therapist

I came to the counseling field from a thriving career as a professional violinist. While external success and fear of change were compelling reasons to stay the course, a chronic state of sadness led me to psychotherapy in search of relief from my discomfort. To my surprise, the process of self exploration healed my professional “blues,” the trauma I experienced as an emigrant struggling with culture shock, and eventually resulted in a fortuitous change of career.

It is with gratitude I offer heart-felt thanks to the handful of gifted therapists and mentors whom have witnessed and gently guided my journey.

Brief Professional Biography

Born in Romania, in a family of artists, I spent my childhood and adolescence practicing the violin. Due to the oppressive political climate of the times, I emigrated to the United States to obtain a masters degree in music from the Mannes College in New York City, followed by a ten year engagement with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra in Canada.

Upon my return to the United States, I earned a masters of science degree in psychology from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. I am a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (MS, MFT) Lic# 49656.

For three years I served high risk Spanish-speaking families as a Specialist/Therapist with the Intensive in Home and HOPE programs at the Santa Maria Youth and Family Center.

Skills

I bring to my private practice a wealth of therapeutic interventions, including conflict resolution, behavioral management, emotion regulation, communication skills and crisis interventions.

I am multilingual and speak English, Romanian, Spanish, French and Italian as a result of my interest in cultural diversity and passion for spoken language in its dual role as both bridge or barrier between people.