I am Elena Rybalko Fernandez, a National Certified Counselor and a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate practicing under the supervision of Anselm Khoo, LPC-S, CCM, NCC, M.Ed. I am passionate about working with individuals and couples, and I love helping people grow personally and within the context of relationships. I have a Master of Education degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and extensive experience working in the substance use treatment field. My background includes treating clients who experienced traumatic events (PTSD, CPTSD), grief, anxiety, depression, insomnia, life transitions, substance use, and co-occurring mental health conditions. 

My approach is trauma-informed, non-directive, non-judgmental, deeply empathetic, and exploratory. Using an integrative framework, I apply interventions from various modalities to meet your specific needs and goals. I often use the combination of Existential Therapy to explore the causes of suffering and help you find personal meaning, with practical CBT interventions to adjust unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns while bringing awareness of your strengths.

If you feel stuck, lonely, hopeless, or unsure of your direction and purpose in life, I am here to support you in your journey of self-discovery. Through therapy, we can uncover what truly matters to you, what brings you joy, and how to bring meaning in your life. Together, we will identify what is no longer working for you and explore new paths toward a fulfilling life. 

Having been exposed to diverse cultures and ways of living around the world, I understand the challenges of trying to fit in and adapting to a new life while preserving your own cultural values. If you are a new immigrant, I can help too. I respect the uniqueness of your background and strive to provide a safe space for you to explore your life experiences. 

As a bilingual therapist, I am equally proficient in providing services in both English and Russian.