About Ellen Bass

Ellen Bass | MA, LMHCA

LICENSED MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELOR ASSOCIATE

Counseling for Adults (18+)

Ellen is passionate about empowering people to discover their innate strength, power, and resilience even when faced with hardship, loss, and suffering. She believes that our stories are meaningful and impactful, and she adopts a non-pathologizing approach, viewing challenges as opportunities for growth rather than symptoms or disorders. She strives to build a warm and compassionate environment to help clients bring about change and meaning in their life. Ellen feels especially connected to concerns around low self-esteem, body image, imposter syndrome, anxiety, social anxiety, depression, ADHD, navigating major life changes, and relationship breakups.

Ellen uses aspects of Narrative Therapy, and Internal Family Systems (IFS), and Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT). She believes collaboration and exploration of values are key to discovering true authenticity. She also recognizes that although we have unique experiences, we sometimes find ourselves in a stuck narrative that may no longer serve us and create barriers to the life we truly want to live. She believes that healing can come with discovering new narratives and re-authoring parts of ourselves or life experiences.

Ellen graduated with her masters in mental health counseling at Lewis & Clark college in Portland. Ellen’s prior work as a massage therapist and art therapy intern in a community organization for people living with cancer have given her a wealth of knowledge that has influenced her passion in the field of mental health. She has a deep understanding of the mind-body connection, the complexities of physical, mental pain and suffering. She has gained experience working with individuals living with chronic pain and terminal illness. She also recognizes how important it is for humans to be creative and express authentically and uniquely to bring about meaning, healing and quality of life.

Ellen moved to the Pacific Northwest from Wisconsin a couple years ago and has enjoyed exploring the sights, trying new restaurants, and eating Thai food. She has a creative spirit, loves moving her body, and being active. Ellen is an artist, loves funk music and yoga. She also enjoys relaxing days with her partner and dog ‘Red’ watching her favorite shows.

Education:

• Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate (WA): #MC61509788
• Masters Degree in Mental Health Counseling from Lewis & Clark College
• Bachelors Degree in Art Therapy from Edgewood College

Areas of Interest:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Self Esteem
• Body Image Concerns