EJ Portrait of Ellen Jay

Ellen Jay, LCSW

Practical, compassionate support for anxiety and stress

15 years in practice · based in New York · sessions in English · online sessions

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About Ellen

Ellen Jay is a licensed clinical social worker with more than 15 years of experience in New York. She focuses on helping people manage stress, anxiety, depression, grief, and relationship concerns. Ellen aims for direct, respectful conversation and practical steps rather than long explanations.

She meets each person where they are and builds a plan together. Conversations are tailored to what feels useful to the client. Ellen emphasizes clear goals and small, manageable changes that add up over time.

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Background and approach

Her work also addresses life transitions, addictions, trauma and abuse, and issues affecting LGBT clients. She has experience supporting people facing aging and geriatric concerns, blended family matters, hospice and end-of-life decision stress, and challenges common to young adults. Ellen values sensitivity and compassion in every session.

She asks questions, listens, and helps people identify coping strategies they can use between meetings. Progress is framed around what matters most to the individual. Therapy with Ellen can include talking through immediate problems and building longer term skills.

She encourages realistic expectations and steady steps forward. Taking the first step often feels hard, and she recognizes the courage that choice requires.

Therapeutic approaches and online flexibility

Many evidence-based techniques focus on practical skills and changing daily patterns. One common approach emphasizes learning coping strategies for managing anxiety and stress, such as paced breathing, activity planning, and breaking problems into smaller steps. These tools help reduce immediate distress and create routines that support mood and focus.

Another frequently used method centers on addressing grief, depression, or relationship strain through structured conversation and problem-solving. This involves identifying unhelpful patterns, testing small changes, and tracking what helps between sessions. These techniques are useful for people dealing with life transitions, loss, or shifts in relationships.

Deciding which approach to use is collaborative. The therapist will talk with each person about goals, preferences, and what has or hasn’t worked in the past. Together they try methods that fit the person’s needs and adjust the plan over time based on progress and feedback.

Online sessions are offered by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to make therapy easier to fit into daily life. Video allows face-to-face conversation, phone can work when bandwidth is limited, chat can be a shorter check-in, and messaging supports ongoing reflection between meetings. These options help people keep therapy consistent around work, caregiving, or other commitments.
Book with Ellen Now Review online therapy options and next steps.

Questions people ask

What concerns does Ellen commonly address?
She works with stress, anxiety, depression, grief, relationship problems, coping with life changes, addictions, LGBT matters, family and trauma and abuse concerns.
What is Ellen's approach in sessions?
She uses straightforward conversation and collaborative planning, focusing on practical steps and coping strategies tailored to each person.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She brings 15 years of professional experience working with a range of emotional and life challenges.
What credentials and location are listed for Ellen?
She holds a Licensed Clinical Social Worker credential, LCSW, and practices in New York.
Which languages are supported for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
What session formats does she offer?
Sessions can take place via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.
How is cost structured for sessions?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability and uses a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin therapy with Ellen?
Click the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule sessions according to the therapist's availability.

What this therapist works with

Most often

Experience
15 years
Licensed
New York
Languages
English

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