Brittany Ellmer, MA, LMHC.
1. What's your practice focus and what kind of clients knock on your door ?
My practice is focused on helping adult clients manage and resolve symptoms related to trauma, anxiety, depression, and stress.
I approach therapy from a trauma-informed attachment based lens with the belief that our early life experiences shape who we are. I utilize therapeutic modalities such as EMDR, Lifespan Integration, DBT, CBT, ACT, and somatic based interventions to support client's who are looking to dive into the roots of their story and work towards healing places of pain.
2. Tell us about yourself.
I'm motivated by the deep purpose that stems from joining and being witness to a client in their most vulnerable places.
I started my practice in the pandemic after seeing the growing need for mental health treatment. My expertise and passion area of trauma treatment and recovery drive me to continue learning and growing to better support clients in their journey towards healing areas of pain.
3. Tell us the story of a patient who you are most proud of helping.
Multiple faces come to mind. I think of numerous clients who with tremendous courage have chosen to revisit places of pain in their story in order to heal. Having the opportunity to guide and be witness to a clients process of revisiting these parts of themselves feels sacred. I've had a client say, “If only I could go back and help myself...” and through the process of therapy, they do have the opportunity to revisit and give that part of themselves what they needed and didn't get at the time.
4. What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a practitioner in private practice?
Starting a virtual private practice can naturally bring up a sense of loneliness. Initially I felt disconnected due to moving from an office environment with colleagues across the hall to being solo in a virtual world. Finding and being part of a community while in private practice can be difficult and is also very important.
5. What are the top 3 tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a private practice today?\
The top 3 tips I'd give.
- Join a peer consultation group to have routine support and community.
- Plan to the future, not just the right now. What kind of business do you want to have in five to ten years? Rather than rushing into starting or growing a practice, take some time to be intentional at each stage.
- Set up a monthly business check in. Save yourself the stress and overwhelm of doing it all at once by having a routine.
6. Where can people find you?
PsychologyToday URL:
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/brittany-ellmer-tacoma-wa/838948