Elise Carlson, LPC, CCTP

Elise is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the State of Georgia and a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP). She received her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Illinois and her Master of Arts degree in Counseling from Ball State University. Since graduating in 2004, she has continued to grow as an individual and clinician with additional graduate-level coursework, professional trainings, and volunteer work. Her compassionate, non-judgmental approach in therapy allows a safe environment where healing and growth can take place. 

Elise’s theoretical approach to counseling is a combination of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Rogerian Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing. For trauma-related treatment, she also incorporates Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) and Experiential Reframing (ER). ER uses affective associations rather than cognitive associations to identify experiences for therapeutic intervention, allowing the client to connect and weave between associated recent and remote experiences, contrasting/positive experiences, resource memories, and future projections. After a session of ER, clients often state that they will never view the incident in the same manner, feeling more confident and grounded.  

Elise's main areas of specialty are assisting adolescents and adults who have experienced abuse/trauma, and/or who are struggling with anxiety or depression. Throughout nearly 20 years in practice, she has gained a considerable amount of experience working with individuals who have survived sexual/physical/emotional abuse, trafficking, domestic violence, the death of friends/family, abandonment, and other traumatic events. She also has significant experience working with individuals who are having difficulties with relationships, boundaries, work stressors, and other life stressors.      

• Individual counseling with adolescents and adults in various outpatient settings
• Group counseling for survivors of sexual abuse/assault
• Family counseling 
• Individual and group counseling at a college counseling center
• Crisis management counseling with youth in an emergency shelter
• Completing psychological evaluations under the supervision of a psychologist and presenting treatment recommendations in court
• Training volunteers in the community on the issue of sex trafficking
• Volunteering for programs that work with survivors of sex trafficking
• Providing trainings for the community on how to best support someone who has experienced sexual abuse/assault

Elise has always had a passion for helping others. When not working, she enjoys spending time with friends and family (as well as her mini goldendoodle), volunteering, watching stand-up comedy, and playing/watching a variety of sports. She grew up in Illinois and loves cheering for her University of Illinois teams and the Chicago Bears.