Catherine Elzie

Catherine Elzie is an LCSW with 15 years working in mental health. She helps people facing depression, bipolar disorder, trauma, LGBT concerns, and relationship strain. Catherine aims to be warm and direct in sessions and often uses humor when it fits the moment.

She takes a collaborative approach and treats the person in front of her as the expert on their life. That means she works with each person to set goals and build skills that fit their situation. She describes herself as body positive and uses a Healthy at Every Size approach to conversations about weight and health.

Catherine has extensive experience with trauma, including childhood and generational trauma, and with issues that affect veterans. She also supports people dealing with mood disorders and the everyday effects of prejudice or discrimination. Her background includes work in substance abuse over a longer career, which informs how she talks about recovery and coping.

Her clinical toolkit includes approaches such as acceptance and commitment work, cognitive behavioral techniques, dialectical behavior methods, mindfulness, and motivational interviewing. She adapts methods to what each person finds useful and practical. Sessions focus on real-life strategies, skill-building, and making small changes that add up.

Catherine completed a Bachelor of Arts in Politics at the University of California, Santa Cruz and a Master of Social Work from the University of Nevada, Reno. She is licensed to practice social work in Oregon as an LCSW and draws on that training in her practice.

Approaches that translate well to online work

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy focuses on values and committed action, helping people live in ways that matter to them even when feelings are painful. It is useful for mood concerns, trauma aftermath, and life purpose questions. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy looks at patterns of thought and behavior and teaches skills to shift unhelpful thinking and coping, which can help with depression and bipolar symptoms. Dialectical Behavior Therapy offers specific skills for emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and communication, helpful for intense emotions and relationship strain.

Catherine treats finding the right approach as a shared process. She will talk with each person about goals, try methods that fit their needs, and adjust the plan over time. That collaborative process helps people figure out what actually works in day-to-day life.

If you are considering online therapy, confirm the session formats offered before booking since specific formats are not listed here. Many people find online sessions easier to schedule around work and family, allow for shorter check-ins when needed, and reduce travel time. Therapists also adapt exercises like mindfulness practice, CBT worksheets, and DBT skills training for remote sessions so skill work can continue between meetings.