Ellen Dinsmore
Practical, compassionate care for life’s transitions
LICSW Minnesota
- Experience
- 15 years in practice
- Focus areas
- Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Career
- Approaches
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Languages
- English
About Ellen
Ellen Dinsmore is a licensed social worker (LICSW) based in Minnesota who brings 15 years of clinical experience to work with people facing stress, anxiety, addictions, depression, grief, relationship concerns, and a wide range of related issues.
Background and approach
She focuses on helping clients clarify goals, develop practical coping skills, and navigate life transitions while addressing concerns such as self-esteem, trauma and abuse, bipolar and mood disorders, ADHD, and compassion fatigue. Her style is collaborative and grounded, emphasizing authenticity, respect, and mutual exploration.
Ellen aims to create an atmosphere where thoughts and feelings can be voiced openly and without judgment, and she blends evidence-informed methods like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) with client-centered and mindfulness-based techniques. Motivational Interviewing is also part of her tool set for working through change and substance-related concerns.
Clients who choose Ellen can expect a pragmatic, down-to-earth approach that balances skill-building with empathetic listening. She supports people through practical problem solving, emotional processing, and identifying values and pathways that lead toward greater life satisfaction and resilience.
Evidence-Informed Approaches for Online Support
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is focused on helping people clarify their values and take committed action even when uncomfortable thoughts or feelings arise; it can be useful for anxiety, mood challenges, and life transitions. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) centers on identifying and shifting unhelpful thinking patterns and building concrete behavioral skills, which can help with stress, depression, and many forms of anxiety. Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes empathic listening and collaboration, creating space for clients to explore their experiences and goals at their own pace.Finding the right approach is often a collaborative process; Ellen will work together with each person to determine which methods fit best with their goals, preferences, and daily life. She integrates techniques from these approaches to tailor interventions and supports clients in trying options and adjusting the plan as progress and needs evolve.
Online therapy with video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging can make it easier to fit regular sessions into a busy life and to access care from home or work. These formats provide flexibility in scheduling and communication style, letting clients choose the way they prefer to connect while working on skills, values-based goals, and coping strategies with a licensed professional.
Frequently asked questions
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Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
15+ years
Licensed
Minnesota
Languages
English