J. Elise Reichle, APSW
Advanced Practice Social Worker
I believe that therapy should be as unique as the person sitting across from me.
There is no “one-size-fits-all” approach to mental health, and I don’t believe there should be. We all bring different experiences, relationships, strengths, and challenges into the therapy room. What feels helpful and supportive to one person might not feel right for another.
My goal is to create a space where you feel comfortable showing up as your genuine self, whatever that looks like on a given day. Whether you need someone to listen, help you make sense of complicated emotions, gently challenge an unhelpful pattern, or simply sit with you through something difficult, I want us to figure out what works best for you.
I also believe that therapy doesn’t always have to feel serious. There is room for humor, laughter, curiosity, and even a little awkwardness alongside grief, anxiety, frustration, and everything in between. You don’t have to have the right words, know exactly what you’re feeling, or have everything figured out before coming to therapy.
Above all, I believe that a strong, genuine relationship between a client and therapist is one of the most important parts of meaningful therapeutic work.
Why I Value Asking for Help
On a more personal note, I know that reaching out for mental health support isn’t always easy.
I’ve previously described asking for help as feeling like running a marathon you never trained for. When you’re already struggling, taking that first step can feel overwhelming and rather impossible.
However, my own experiences taught me something important. Having an approachable, accepting person on the other side can make that marathon feel… maybe still like a half-marathon, but a much more doable one.
I hope to offer that same sense of understanding and support to the people I work with.
Elise’s Approach to Therapy
As a social worker, I approach therapy through a strengths-based, holistic, and trauma-informed lens. This means I am interested not only in the challenges you may be experiencing, but also in the experiences, relationships, and environments that have shaped who you are. I also value creating a non-judgmental space where clients can be their genuine selves.
I recognize that our mental health does not exist in a vacuum. Our families, communities, identities, workplaces, schools, and broader social systems can profoundly influence how we understand ourselves and navigate the world. Sometimes, what we experience as an individual struggle is also connected to the circumstances and systems around us.
I enjoy helping clients explore these connections while recognizing their existing strengths and capacity for growth.
My approach is collaborative and flexible. Some clients want practical strategies for managing anxiety, stress, or everyday challenges. Others want to better understand themselves, explore longstanding patterns, or make sense of experiences from their past. Many want a combination of both.
Rather than assuming what you need, I want to understand what you’re hoping to get out of therapy and work together to find an approach that feels helpful and meaningful.
Exploring the Different Parts of Ourselves
One approach I particularly enjoy incorporating into therapy is Internal Family Systems (IFS), sometimes called “parts work.”
IFS offers a way to better understand the different parts of ourselves, including the thoughts, feelings, beliefs, and patterns that can sometimes seem contradictory.
For example, maybe one part of you wants to make a big life change, while another feels terrified of what might happen. Perhaps you’re incredibly compassionate toward others but find yourself being your own harshest critic. Or maybe you recognize a pattern in your relationships but aren’t quite sure why it keeps showing up.
Through parts work, we can approach these experiences with curiosity rather than judgment. Instead of trying to get rid of the parts of ourselves we dislike or don’t understand, we can explore what they might be trying to communicate or protect us from.
I particularly enjoy using IFS with clients who are interested in developing a deeper understanding of themselves, their emotions, and their relationships.
Of course, IFS isn’t the right fit for everyone, and that’s okay! I also draw from other approaches like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Trauma-Focused CBT (TF-CBT), dialectical Behavior Therapy, EMDR, and Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), depending on each client’s needs, preferences, and goals.
Elise Sees:
Elise Can Accept:
Elise Is Trained In:
Elise Helps With:
To learn more about Elise and some of the topics she cares about, check out these blog posts:
