Alan Ellias , LMSW

Alan Ellias is a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) in Michigan with more than 20 years of part-time experience as a psychotherapist. He holds a Master of Social Work from Wayne State University, earned in 1995, and is trained in both clinical and macro areas of social work. Over the course of his career he balanced roles in community crisis services, counseling centers, and private practice, beginning as a volunteer on a crisis line at Commonground and later working on emergency services, serving as a part-time therapist at Counseling Alternatives, and maintaining a small private practice.

Ellias retired from full-time work in the school system in 2022, and his practice history includes work with a broad range of concerns such as depression, anxiety, LGBTQ+ issues, relationship difficulties, parenting challenges, career transitions, obsessive-compulsive patterns, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. He also has experience supporting people who have experienced physical trauma or emotional abuse. His counseling style is described as nonjudgmental, adaptable, warm, and interactive, with an emphasis on respect, sensitivity, and compassion rather than stigmatizing labels.

He integrates cognitive-behavioral, psychodynamic, and rational-emotive approaches, operating from the perspective that thoughts influence feelings and feelings influence actions. By exploring and, when appropriate, reshaping thoughts, he helps clients alter emotional responses and behaviors in ways that can improve daily life. He views seeking help as an expression of strength and aims to support and empower clients while tailoring sessions and treatment plans to each person’s specific needs and goals. He welcomes prospective clients who are prepared to take that step toward change.