Ellie Kahn, LPC

I’ve always been drawn to understanding people — what shapes how we think, feel, and relate to ourselves and each other. But over time I realized what actually gives me a sense of purpose isn’t just understanding people, it’s helping them understand themselves. That’s the work I get to do with clients now: making sense of their experiences and building lives that feel more honest, intentional, and their own.

The ways we learn to survive aren’t always the ways we want to live. A lot of the patterns that once protected us stick around long after they’ve stopped helping. I don’t think those patterns deserve judgment — I think they deserve curiosity. So we look at where they came from, what they were trying to do for you, and how they’re still showing up now. That doesn’t rewrite the past, but it changes your relationship to it. My hope is that clients leave therapy shaped by what they’ve been through, not stuck in it.

My approach is trauma-informed and integrative — I draw from psychodynamic and attachment-based thinking, along with more structured tools like CBT and DBT depending on what’s useful. Therapy isn’t one-size-fits-all, so I try to meet each client where they actually are rather than running a script. Sessions tend to mix reflection with practical skill-building — insight is great, but it should turn into something you can actually use. My style is warm and collaborative, with some gentle pushing when it’s called for.

I work with young adults (18+) and adults dealing with anxiety, depression, mood disorders, trauma, life transitions, identity questions, self-esteem struggles, and relationship difficulties. I also have experience with OCD, BPD, substance use, and body image/food-related concerns.

At the end of the day, I think the relationship itself is where the healing happens. I try to create a space where clients can actually be honest — where they feel accepted enough to do the harder work. Therapy isn’t about turning into someone else. It’s about becoming more yourself. My hope is that our work together leaves you more self-aware, more confident, and more able to live like the person you actually want to be.