Elisa Mantel-Smith

Evidence-based support for life’s challenges

LCSW-R New York

Experience: 10 years in practice
Focus areas: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Family
Approaches: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Client-Centered Therapy
Languages: English

About Elisa

Elisa Mantel-Smith brings a cognitive behavioral perspective alongside relational and trauma-informed methods to support people coping with complex life challenges. She is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW-R) practicing in New York with ten years of experience working with individuals, families, and groups.

Background and approach

Her training and clinical background inform a practical approach that addresses thoughts, emotions, and relationship patterns to help clients build skills and improve day-to-day functioning.

Elisa has worked with a wide range of concerns including stress, anxiety, grief, parenting and family issues, addictions, trauma and abuse, intimacy and sexual concerns, eating and body image issues, depression, and compassion fatigue.

She also has experience with adoption and foster care, autism and Asperger syndrome, caregiver stress, fertility and cancer-related challenges, obsessive-compulsive concerns, phobias, and other focused difficulties. Sessions emphasize collaboration, respect for each person’s experience, and development of concrete strategies for coping and change.

Clients can expect a warm, authentic therapeutic relationship informed by evidence-based practices such as Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT), Solution-Focused Therapy, and Trauma-Focused Therapy. Elisa welcomes individuals ready to explore practical tools and relational insight to move toward greater well-being.

Practical therapeutic approaches for online care

Elisa commonly integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Trauma-Focused Therapy along with client-centered principles to guide online work. CBT focuses on identifying and shifting unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors, which can be useful for anxiety, depression, stress, and many everyday challenges. Trauma-Focused Therapy attends to the effects of traumatic experiences by helping clients process distressing memories and learn coping strategies to reduce their impact. Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes a respectful, nonjudgmental relationship that prioritizes the client’s experience and supports self-directed growth.

Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist works with each person to explore symptoms, goals, and preferences, and then adapts techniques to fit what the client finds most helpful. Sessions often combine skill-building, emotional processing, and practical problem-solving to create a tailored plan.

Online therapy offers flexibility through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging, allowing people to access care from different locations and at varying times. These options can make it easier to maintain continuity of care, try different formats to see what fits best, and integrate therapeutic work into a busy life.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of concerns does Elisa work with?

She addresses a broad range of issues including stress, anxiety, grief, relationship and family problems, parenting, addictions, trauma and abuse, intimacy concerns, eating and body image issues, anger, self-esteem, depression, compassion fatigue, and ADHD, as well as related topics like adoption and foster care, caregiver stress, fertility, and phobias.

How would you describe the therapeutic approach and style?

Her practice blends client-centered warmth with evidence-based methods such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Emotionally-Focused Therapy, Solution-Focused techniques, and Trauma-Focused Therapy to combine skill-building with attention to emotions and relationships.

What is her professional background and experience?

She holds a master’s degree in social work and brings ten years of clinical experience working with individuals, families, and groups on health, fertility, loss, and other life transitions.

What are her credentials and where is she located?

She is licensed as an LCSW-R in New York with license number NY LCSW-R 052448 and practices out of New York.

Does she offer services in other languages or to international clients?

Sessions are provided in English only, and she is not currently accepting international clients.

What session formats are available for working together?

She offers multiple online formats including video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to accommodate different needs and preferences.

How is cost handled for sessions?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions are provided through a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.

What are the steps to begin working with her?

To start, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a session based on the therapist’s availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesFamily conflictsGriefParenting issues

Also works with

Addictions Trauma and abuseIntimacy-related issuesEating disordersAnger managementSelf esteem Depression Coping with life changes Compassion fatigue ADHD

Additional focus areas

Adoption and foster careAutism and Asperger SyndromeBody imageCancerCaregiver issues and stressCodependencyCommunication problemsEating and food-related issuesFamily problemsFertility issuesIntellectual disabilityIsolation / loneliness Obsessions, compulsions, and OCD Panic disorder and panic attacks PhobiasPostpartum depressionPregnancy and childbirthSeasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Social anxiety and phobiaWomen's issuesYoung adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)Solution-Focused TherapyTrauma-Focused Therapy

Experience

10+ years

Licensed

New York

Languages

English