- Client-Centered approach
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Emotionally-Focused work
About Elaine
Elaine Messarra is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Texas with 26 years of experience. She works with adults on concerns such as anxiety, depression, grief, relationship and family issues, addictions, and stress. Elaine also supports people experiencing caregiver strain, chronic illness, sleep problems, and challenges tied to life transitions.
Before private practice, she spent two decades as a teacher and school counselor. That background informs her work with people connected to education and caregiving roles. She has experience providing individual therapy in outpatient settings and with nursing home and assisted living residents.
Elaine uses a client-centered way of working. Sessions focus on listening, clarifying what matters, and pacing the work to each person’s needs. She draws on cognitive behavioral ideas to address patterns of thought and behavior, and on emotionally focused techniques to look at how emotions affect relationships.
She also incorporates mindfulness and narrative approaches to help people notice present-moment experience and to reframe personal stories. Sessions are conversational and practical, with space for prayer and faith-based discussion if the client requests that. She notes faith can be a source of comfort and grounding for some people.
Elaine sees individuals ages 18 and over for one-to-one therapy. She does not offer couples or family sessions. People considering work on family of origin issues, attachment concerns, or abandonment can bring those topics into individual sessions for exploration.
How her therapeutic approaches translate to online work
Elaine uses a client-centered approach that focuses on listening, clarifying priorities, and moving at a pace that fits each person. That style supports online sessions by keeping attention on what the client needs in the moment and adapting the flow accordingly.She also uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which looks at links between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. CBT provides concrete tools for managing anxiety, low mood, and sleep issues - tools that can be practiced between sessions. Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) is another method she draws on to help people notice and name emotional patterns that affect relationships and intimacy.
Choosing the right approach is part of the work together. The therapist and client will discuss goals, preferences, and which methods feel most helpful, then adjust the plan as progress is made. This collaborative process is useful whether the focus is on family of origin issues, grief, or caregiver stress.
The original biography does not list specific session formats, so confirm current online options before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy week, shorten travel time, and allow for brief check-ins when needed. Talk with her about practical details so sessions fit into daily life.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
26+ years
Listed in
Texas
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does she address?
She works with stress, anxiety, depression, grief, addictions, relationship and family concerns, and related areas like caregiver stress and chronic illness.
How would you describe her therapy style?
She uses a client-centered style that emphasizes listening and pacing. Sessions are conversational and focus on practical skills and emotional processing.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has 26 years of experience in psychotherapy, including time as a teacher and school counselor and work with nursing home and assisted living residents.
What are her credentials and where is she based?
She is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) licensed in Texas and practices from that state.
Does she offer sessions in other languages or accept international clients?
Sessions are offered in English and she does not accept international clients at this time.
What session formats are used?
Please confirm current session options before booking, as the biography does not specify formats. Ask directly which formats are available.
How are fees handled?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Start by selecting the See online therapy options button, completing a short matching questionnaire, and scheduling a first session.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger, use the emergency numbers. Looking for someone else? Find them by surname.