Accepted insurance & self-pay
About Elena
Elena Papathanassiou is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Virginia who is practiced in providing therapeutic care to teens and adults seeking help with depression, anxiety, trauma, suicidality, and the LGBTQIA+ community. She strives to maintain a high level of cultural competency while working with diverse groups of people and sensitivity to the unique struggles of those with intersecting identities. She completed her Bachelor of Arts at the University of Pittsburgh and her Master of Social Work at Virginia Commonwealth University.
Elena utilizes strengths-based and person-in-environment theories while collaborating with the client to ensure their unique needs are met. These inform her usage of solution-focused, cognitive-behavioral, and dialectical-behavioral techniques to provide evidence-based therapy that is flexible, responsive, and tailored to the individual.
Elena seeks to provide a warm, supportive therapeutic relationship with her clients that invites openness and insight to achieve your goals. Through collaboration and building on your strengths, she will assist you in developing a meaningful life in accordance with your values.
Get to know Elena
Why did you decide to become a counselor?
I've always been passionate about mental health, and wanted to help people get to where they feel confident in their ability to live a life worth living.
What types of clients do you work with best?
I work best with clients who are interested in exploring what works best for them, and are willing to work with me while we go on that journey together.
What type of clients are you most excited to work with?
I'm excited to work with any client who is open to trying new coping skills and is willing to be honest about if they work for them.
What’s one thing you wish all clients knew?
I want all clients to know that, while therapy take time and can be work, it can also be fun and feel empowering.
Why did you choose to practice at Thriveworks?
I choose to practice at Thriveworks because it allows me to work through my residency while also seeing clients independently.
What inspires you?
I am inspired by the hope for a future where therapy/counseling is seen as normal, and that getting help when you need it is always a good thing.
What can clients expect in their first session with you?
Clients can expect for me to ask about what brings them to therapy, and what they are looking for from it so that I can best help them. This will include a brief personal history to capture a larger picture of what is going on so that we can create the best plan to help you be where you want to be.
What do you want to accomplish with an individual in their first session?
I would like to get to know my client, both personally and what they are interested in doing with our sessions, and start developing a plan to help the client work towards their goals.
What do you do for fun/on your time off?
I enjoy reading, baking/cooking, and hanging out with my dog.
What’s one thing about you that defines you (non-professional)?
Something that defines me non-professionally is my sense of humor.
Other areas of focus
Education and training
- Years in practice
- 6 years
- Graduating institute
- Virginia Commonwealth University
- Graduating degree
- Master of Social Work
