Dr. Ellen Brackup

Don't struggle alone. I've been a psychologist for a long time, and I've seen the tremendous changes that people can make. By visiting this site, you've taken the first step. If you decide to call me, we'll talk about what you're looking for and how I might help. What we talk about together is very serious, but respectful humor can be helpful too. Do you know the joke about how many therapists it takes to change a light bulb? Only one, but the light bulb has to really want to change! It takes guts to be in psychotherapy, because psychotherapy is about really looking at yourself, and seeing what you do well and what needs to be changed. It's about gradually coming to trust the relationship we build together, and using that relationship for safety, support, and feedback. More therapy humor: An older couple wakes up in the morning and one says to the other, "I'm dead." The second scoffs, "How can you be dead? You're talking to me." The first replies, "Nothing hurts; I must be dead!" In therapy, you can share the inevitable pain of life, and the pleasure of learning about yourself, in partnership with another real person. Bring your willingness to see yourself honestly, and bring your compassion for yourself too. If you and I agree that we're a good match, therapy could become one of the most important and rewarding experiences of your life. You are very welcome to call me at 404.231.4455 for a free phone consultation. I look forward to knowing you. The following explanations will give you an idea of how I work with the issues listed: Anxiety or Fears-- Did you know that anxiety can be the mind’s way of protecting itself from feelings that seem unacceptable? As therapy progresses, the hope is to develop the emotional muscle to sit with all of your feelings, without having to push them away and be anxious instead. Depression-- Rather than thinking of depression as just a condition to get rid of, it can help to explore what the depression is trying to tell you at a deep level. That way, the pain of depression can be the doorway to transformation in your life. Divorce-- You may be feeling shocked, betrayed, devastated, ashamed, relieved, confused, terrified, or excited—all at the same time. Divorce is certainly an ending. Therapy can help it become a beginning. Eating Disorders-- Therapy for eating disorders is not one-size-fits-all! We want to get interested in questions like what are you really hungry for; how do you use food and your body to soothe yourself or to speak for you; and what kind of support do you need in order to feel what you really need to feel. Loss or Grief-- When we love someone, a big part of our life energy gets tied up with that person. How do we get that energy back when there’s a loss? In therapy, every time you talk about the person with feeling, a bit of your life energy returns to you and becomes available for you to use going forward. Personality Disorders-- Working with personality disorders involves understanding how the very same strategies that may have saved your life in childhood are now interfering with your hopes for yourself in the present. This is a very gradual process, involving developing insight and slowly working toward trying something new. Relationship and Couple Therapy-- While no relationship is perfect, good relationships can be the source of great joy and fulfillment. If you can get curious about your own reactions, all of your relationships have the chance to improve tremendously, including the most important one—your relationship with yourself. Self Esteem-- Self-concept is formed through our histories in important relationships. The therapy relationship itself can be a laboratory in which to experiment with softening the harshness of self-judgment and developing an attitude of honest self-compassion. Sexual Abuse-- Sexual abuse is one of the most agonizing experiences that a person can have. Honoring and unpacking the thoughts and feelings that might have gotten stuck can help you move toward really seeing yourself as a survivor. Stress-- You’re not perfect; you can’t control the universe; and you have limits. Viewing stress through the lens of these truths is often a relief, and therapy can encourage you as you get ready to make positive changes.