Thank you for visiting. Hello. I’m Elise.

Formally, Elise Strachila, MA, LMHC, EMDR Therapist.

Informally, just a person in this world, navigating life, all while learning & unlearning many things as I go along.

I possess a neurodivergent mind- deep feeling, research driven, interestingly perceptive, prone to imperfection, and often 3 places at once. Continually requiring, and resisting, tools and intentional systems to find stillness, grounding, and focus to be ok in this world. IYKYK.

I’ve worked in human service, counseling and therapeutic settings since 2003. It’s an interesting thing to have 20+ years of experience in a professional arena and also still feel like you are learning every day. EMDR is a newer aspect of therapeutic focus in my work. I have immense respect for the EMDR process and have intentionally chosen to make it the cornerstone focus of my practice.

As a therapist, my priority is a safe, co-working space, to learn and find some resolution and healing. I am professional, but also real. This work is serious, but also we have to keep it light when we can. I love sarcasm, running with a metaphor, well-placed profanity, and seeing and celebrating moments in your life.

One of the most powerful tools or philosophies that I lean into is DUALITY.

Humans are full of duality. Remarkable and messy, light and dark. Fearless and afraid.

In my experience, we work so hard, often harshly, to make ourselves one thing or the other: good/bad, right/wrong, enough/not enough. We contort, not even aware of the subconscious whispering of learned negative beliefs, messages, experiences and pressures.

I love therapeutic work that allows us space to be both things - remarkable and messy.

EMDR is therapeutic work that unpacks and challenges the loud AND quiet beliefs, ideas, and experiences that caused us to believe we were worthy if we twist into certain boxes of expectations.

The work of EMDR is being curious and intentionally noticing the loud and quiet voices within us and giving them space to become something else.

I love many things about EMDR, but the thing I love most about it is COMPASSION. One of the greatest by-products of doing EMDR work is the compassion that it creates within us.

Unearthing peace and understanding with all the layers of who you are and who you have been.

This is often part of the gift of doing the work of EMDR and, to me, is real freedom.