Elsie Pride LMFT

I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT 116771). I am so glad you have stopped by to learn a little bit more about me and possibly give me the opportunity to walk alongside you on this new journey. I am honored you are considering me and want to share a little more about myself so you can get to know me. When I sat down to write this, I first thought I needed to include a lot of “psychobabble” and share the successes I’ve been able to witness and support but then I realized you are probably not that interested in that. I started to think about what you may be interested in and realized it is whether I am someone who is going to be able to help. So let me share a little bit about how I think I can. 

Why I Chose This and Continue to Choose This Daily

I have always wanted to be a therapist, from the moment I can remember having any kind of career goals I remember them revolving around being a helper. My own experiences coupled with the experiences I have watched many of my family members and friends go through made me realize that there is something so sacred and beautiful about sitting with someone in their pain and helping them realize that they are powerful enough to sit with it and grow out of it. This has felt like a calling for me and everyday I wake up grateful (and sometimes very tired) for the opportunity to get to know and support people in some of their darkest and most vulnerable moments. I also get to be part of the amazing growth and insight that so many people I’ve worked with have had. I feel an immense sense of gratitude every time I think about the experiences I have had and continue to have with so many resilient people, you included!

My Style

So here is the strange part where I get to share some of the things my previous clients have shared about my style (I still haven’t gotten to the point where I can confidently take compliments-I am human!). I have been told by many clients that they appreciate my warmth and gentle demeanor. I have been told that I help make sessions feel natural and comfortable which has always been my goal because I believe therapy is just a conversation between two human beings needing to connect and know that with true, genuine connection anything is possible. I love to laugh and people have shared with me that my sense of humor has helped create a good balance of light and heavy during the hard and difficult stuff that can come up during sessions. I understand that the things people I work with share with me are things that they may have been afraid to say out loud to anyone else and for that I am struck with a sense of humility and amazement at the courage and tenacity they show every time they show up for session. It can be very scary stuff but it is also very powerful and healing.

My Approach

I come from a very person centered approach, feeling that the relationship and connection between you and I is the most important tool we will have to use to help you explore, process and find your way to where you are meant to be. I use several different theories and approaches when working with people including Positive Psychology, Narrative Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Play Therapy and Attachment Theory to name a few. I also utilize different therapy practices (see skills and training) that I have learned along the way depending on the presenting symptoms and needs of each person. I believe every person who walks through my door is unique and special and therefore requires the use of skills, tools and methods tailored to who they are and what they need. I find it absolutely essential for us to spend time getting to know each other so we can figure out together what the best course of treatment is because at the end of the day, you know you best and can provide me with everything I need to know to help you.

Skills and Training

I completed my Bachelors of Science degree in Psychology in 2012 while living and working in the UK which was just as eye opening as learning about all things psychology! I returned to the US and started my Masters of Arts degree in Clinical Psychology (MFT Track) at Azusa Pacific University where I learned a lot, grew tremendously as a person, drank entirely too much coffee and eventually graduated in 2016. My road to this field as been interesting and hard one but has been well worth it!

While in school, I started my internship at a Methadone clinic which was scary at first but ultimately so rewarding and such a great learning experience. It helped me to develop a stronger sense of self, a more defined identity of who I wanted to be as a therapist and an appreciation for the resiliency of the human spirit. After several years working there, I decide to move on and started working at an outpatient clinician for adults with moderate to severe mental health diagnoses. If I thought the methadone clinic was eye opening, this outpatient facility was the next level! It pushed me out of my comfort zone and forced me to learn how to be quick on my feet, soft in my soul and gentle in my heart. I learned so much from that experience for the couple of years I was there and saw the MAGIC that therapy and connection could do for those that were just given the opportunity to be heard. I finally landed in an outpatient facility working with the Birth to 5 Population. This was the most terrifying for me at the time because I had never worked with kids previously and was worried, I wouldn’t be doing “therapy” anymore but boy was I wrong! The time I have spent working with little ones and their parents has possibly been some of the most rewarding work I have ever done. To see what strong and healthy attachment, sincere praise and sheer love and compassion can do for children and their parents is incredible.

I am trained in several different evidenced practice practices and therapy models that work well with both adults and children.

Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT)-Trained

Child Parent Psychotherapy (CPP)-Trained

Standard Triple P-Trained and Accredited

Incredible Years-Children’s Program-Trained

Trauma Resiliency Model (TRM)-Trained

Seeking Safety-Trained

Motivational Interviewing-Trained

Gottman Method Couples Therapy-Trained and Certified in Levels 1 and 2

Certified Clinical Trauma Specialist-Individual (CCTS-I)-Currently in Training

I think I have covered most of the things you may be curious about. If you feel like I missed something, would like clarification on anything or just want to have a chat about whether we would be compatible, please reach out! I am so excited that you stopped by and learned a little bit about me, I am looking forward to getting to know more about you and seeing if we would work well together. If you are interested in learning more about services, please click on the “Services” or “Contact Me” headings at the top of the page or give me a call at 626.362.4468.