- Emotionally-Focused Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Solution-Focused work
About Elissa
Elissa Padilla is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) practicing in California with three years of clinical experience. She works with people facing stress, anxiety, depression, bipolar symptoms, addictions, grief, parenting strains, ADHD, and relationship concerns. Sessions are delivered in English and she does not accept international clients.
Elissa focuses on emotional patterns and how they affect daily life. She helps clients name difficult feelings and notice the ways those feelings shape reactions. Practical tools and straightforward talk are part of her approach. Sessions aim to make what feels confusing more understandable and manageable.
Elissa draws on Emotionally-Focused Therapy along with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Psychodynamic ideas. She also uses Solution-Focused techniques to set concrete, short-term goals. Those methods are used to help with relationship patterns, attachment issues, coping after trauma, and adjusting to life changes.
In a typical session she listens for recurring emotions and behaviors, then helps people link those patterns to present problems. She mixes reflection with small experiments and steps people can try between sessions. The work balances exploring past influences with making changes in the here-and-now.
People who reach out often want clearer feelings, better relationships, or help managing mood and stress. Starting includes a short questionnaire and a first session to clarify goals. Elissa explains options up front and collaborates with each person on a plan that fits their life.
How her approaches translate to online sessions
Elissa works with Emotionally-Focused Therapy to help people name core emotions and see how those feelings affect relationships and behavior. EFT focuses on emotional patterns and attachment-related responses, which can clarify why certain conflicts or reactions keep repeating.She also uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to identify unhelpful thoughts and test small behavior changes. CBT provides clear tools for managing anxiety, mood shifts, and stress. Psychodynamic ideas are used to notice how past relationships shape present patterns and to bring awareness to recurring themes.
Finding the right mix of approaches is part of the work and will be decided together. The therapist will discuss goals, try methods, and adjust based on what helps. This collaborative process helps pick strategies that fit the person's needs and preferences.
Session formats are not listed in the biography, so confirm current session options before booking. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy schedule, reduce travel time, and allow shorter check-ins when needed. Licensed professionals can use these formats to help people practice new responses between sessions and keep therapy consistent with everyday life.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
3+ years
Listed in
California
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does she address?
She works with stress, anxiety, depression, bipolar symptoms, addictions, grief, parenting challenges, ADHD, and relationship issues.
How would you describe her therapeutic style?
She uses Emotionally-Focused Therapy alongside Cognitive Behavioral and Psychodynamic ideas, with practical, short-term steps from Solution-Focused work.
How long has she been practicing?
She has three years of clinical experience as an LMFT in California.
What credential and location are listed?
She is a California LMFT and provides services from California.
Which languages are sessions offered in?
Sessions are offered in English.
Does she accept clients outside the United States?
International clients are not accepted at this time.
How are sessions charged?
Cost varies with location; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
What are the first steps to begin?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Profile details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. Credential and registration rules differ between the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia.