- CBT methods
- Mindfulness therapy
- Solution focused work
About Elaine
Elaine Lipkin is a California-licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) with 35 years of experience. She works with adults on stress, anxiety, relationships, grief, self-esteem, depression, addictions, sleep issues, parenting concerns, and coping with life changes. Elaine also lists young adult issues among her areas of focus and speaks English.
She trained and worked in psychiatric hospitals and outpatient clinics before entering private practice. Early in her career she took part in staff education led by well-known psychotherapy figures, and she completed three years of internship prior to licensure. That long clinical history informs how she approaches common life problems today.
In sessions she helps people identify where they feel stuck and understand patterns that shape thoughts, feelings, and actions. She favors setting clear goals that can be reviewed and adjusted over time. Therapy can be brief and solution-focused or longer term depending on what the person needs.
Her work draws from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, and family systems ideas. She adapts these methods to each person and aims to build practical tools people can use outside sessions. She also pays attention to family of origin influences when relevant.
Elaine has long experience supporting people facing fertility and infertility concerns and has worked with related national support organizations. That clinical background sits alongside decades of general practice with individuals, couples, and families.
She asks clients to approach therapy as a collaboration where trust grows over time. Prospective clients should complete the short matching questionnaire and schedule a first session to begin the process.
Therapeutic approaches and working online
Elaine uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help people spot and change unhelpful thought and behavior patterns. CBT is practical and often used for anxiety, depression, and problems with sleep or substance use.She also uses Mindfulness Therapy to teach attention and acceptance skills people can use day to day. Mindfulness exercises often help reduce reactivity and improve focus during stressful times.
Solution-Focused Therapy is another strand of her work and concentrates on identifying small, concrete steps that move a person toward their goals. This approach can be helpful when someone wants quick, practical changes and clearer short-term objectives.
Finding the right mix of methods is part of the work together. Elaine treats choosing an approach as a collaborative process and will discuss goals, preferences, and what seems to be helping as sessions progress.
The profile does not specify which online session formats are offered, so confirm the current session options before booking. Online sessions can make it easier to fit appointments into a busy week, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and remove commute time so people can use breaks from study or work. In practice, therapists and clients decide together how to structure sessions so therapy fits daily life.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
35+ years
Listed in
California
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What issues does she commonly address?
She works with stress, anxiety, relationships, grief, low self-esteem, depression, addictions, sleep problems, parenting challenges, and coping with life changes, including young adult issues.
What is her general approach in sessions?
Sessions focus on identifying where someone is stuck, setting measurable goals, and building practical tools. Elaine blends cognitive behavioral, mindfulness, and solution-focused ideas to suit each person.
How much experience does she have?
She has 35 years of experience in the mental health field, including work in psychiatric hospitals, outpatient clinics, and long-standing private practice.
What credential does she hold and where does she practice?
She is an LMFT - Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist - practicing in California.
Which languages are supported?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can people from other countries work with her?
She is not currently accepting international clients.
What are the session formats?
The original profile does not list specific session formats; please confirm current session options before booking.
How does billing and getting started work?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time. To begin, complete the short matching questionnaire and schedule a first session using the See online therapy options button.
Online talk therapy through BetterHelp is for adults aged 18 and over and is not emergency care. If you are in danger, use the emergency numbers. Find someone else by name.