By the time I started working with Elena I had been in psychotherapy for almost 20 years. I had an understanding of the origins of my depression and anxiety but I was stuck; I was still using unhealthy coping mechanisms to tolerate discomfort and navigate my life, rather unsuccessfully.

Elena began guiding my process of healing using visual imagery, EMDR and art therapy. Through integrating these tools and experiences, my brain began to change. I developed new neural pathways which allowed me to consider and experience alternative thoughts and emotions regarding my past, present and future. My nervous system calmed, and for the first time in decades I became more grounded and detached from the familiar emotional angst. She showed me what else was possible, how it felt, and how to access it.

Of note, my growth wasn't a smooth, linear path. A series of life events got the best of me and I took a nosedive into darkness. It was during this time that Elena's compassion and patience became as essential to my healing as the tools we had been using. Through her professional competency, genuine talent, and authentic humanness, I learned how to start living a new kind of life with stability and peace, most of the time.

There are no words that can thoroughly express the gratitude I have for my work with Elena. She facilitated the change in my noggin. She altered my course of existence from darkness to light. I'm aware that unpredictable, uncontrollable, and painful circumstances are unavoidable, and I can't guarantee I'll meet each one with the grace and strength I hope to, but I'm not afraid anymore. And that's a miracle.

Elena was my son's therapist for 2 1/2years. Words cannot do justice to describe that involvement, concern, love, determination that she put into helping him work through the trauma he had been through. She was so considerate of our unique family dynamics, always somehow made therapy available at times that may not have been the most convenient for her, but worked for us. I do not believe that Elena left a stone unturned looking for ways to help our son and our family. She did EMDR, art therapy, took him for walks with a dog, spent incredible amounts of time and energy just talking, emailing, and texting the parents to discuss progress, problems and options. I do not think we would have to make it without the support she gave us. Elena is no longer my son's therapist, but this was not because of our choice; it is because of her selfless devotion that she wanted him to get more help and try other approaches to help him continue to recover, but she continues to keep in touch asking how he is. He wasn't just a patient to her. He mattered to her and our family mattered. I am deeply indebted to her.

I learned how to cope with my fear and anxiety, not only with animals, but in everyday life. I wouldn't have been able to get as far as I am right now without the support of my family and friends. Though most importantly, I wouldn't have been able to get this far without my therapist who tremendously helped me. Thank you so much!

Elena was my therapist for around 6 years. I was counseled by her at at time of the worst depression of my life. I can't imagine having gotten through my teenage years without her. It's been six years since our counseling and I still think of how constructive and influential our conversations and sessions were for my life. Elena helped me process and effectively deal with difficult family dynamics that have been made clear for me to this day. With EMDR, mindfulness, and expressive art making I came out of my depression with clarity and positive long lasting life changes. I still keep in touch with Elena and consider her an important mentor in my life.

It is truly invaluable to me and has made me capable of more than I ever anticipated. Thank you thank you for helping me get to this point in which I'm excited about the unknowns that lie ahead.

My work with Elena was short, but powerful. I came to Elena a couple of months prior to moving out of the Chicagoland area with a strong feeling that something was trapped, locked inside of me. I had been experiencing a desire to express myself creatively, and yet I had no idea how to access my own creative energy. By our second session Elena had established a safe space for me to begin to connect with my own creative expression. She helped me work with some very painful emotional blocks from childhood, blocks that had paralyzed me from trusting my own creative process. After a few more sessions I found myself sitting next to Elena at her art table hungry for more time to collage, to draw, to use colors as a way of connecting with my inner experience. Elena's nonjudgmental stance and unconditional acceptance allowed me to establish a relationship with art that I had been longing for. She held space that allowed me to quiet my inner critic long enough for my heart expand and my voice to emerge through art. The most beautiful aspect of this transformation was that after our short time working together I am now able to continue my dialogue with my creative self. Hundreds of miles away, I find myself far less afraid to pick up art supplies and be with myself, with my creativity.

SN LOVED the session today. She kept saying "I just wish we had more time." She is really wanting to be heard...and to share all her thoughts, worries and more. She also thought you were great! So grateful to have found you, and I'm excited for her to grow with your support!

Elena Kaiser feels like my personal angel. She's kind, compassionate, wise, and patient, tirelessly supporting my brain to somehow magically come to terms with disabling physical and emotional pain. Though I use a variety of treatments for chronic pain from RSDS, EMDR with Elena is the cornerstone that's pulled me from the rubble so I can rebuild my life. Thank you, Elena.

I was referred to Elena by a friend. As a single parent I wanted to make sure my son, who was just starting to ask about his father, was adjusting well emotionally. With Elena I not only receive guidance on my sons development, but parental coaching. My son loves to visit her and play. Her enthusiasm and talent are truly amazing! Shes become an extension to our family.

I took my 5 year old daughter in to see Elena feeling very desperate. My daughter's behavior had become increasingly unmanageable and was making the whole family miserable. I had resisted the idea of formal therapy because it just seemed odd that a 5 year old should need therapy. I also felt like I must be failing as a mother if we needed outside help. But Elena immediately put me at ease. She recognized my daughter's behavioral struggles, commended me for seeking help and was very empathetic...Elena immediately seemed to recognize the problems we were facing and how difficult it had been for our family. She did not try to minimize my concerns or place blame. When I left Elena's office after our first visit, I thought, "Wow, this therapist really seems to get it. There is hope!"

My teenaged special-needs daughter has been working with Elena Kaiser for more than a year. My daughter has anxiety issues in addition to her special needs and she wrestles with behavioral problems. Elena has found a way for my daughter to express herself and describe her emotions about her disabilities through art. This is particularly valuable for a child like my daughter, who has difficulty expressing herself in other ways. Elena is always “up,” always positive, always supportive. She respects my daughter’s choices in their joint work.  My daughter says “Seeing Elena is FUN.” Elena has been very helpful to my daughter, and as a result, to our family. My child also sees a child psychiatrist for medication management, but Elena provides a kind of care that is not available through that route.

Elena is wise, compassionate, and supportive.  Through her guidance I've been able to face issues in my life that keep coming up because they haven't been resolved. The work that I've been doing with Elena is helping me put them to rest once and for all. This is a partnership working in the vey best way possible. She pushes when I need it, sets me straight when that's necessary, and holds my hand and gives me a hug when I'm in need of that as well.  Elena is without a question a true blessing.

Testing went very smoothly - My boss said I should be proud of myself - and I am. But more importantly, I didn't wake up, drive in, and spend the day consumed with fear and anxiety!  I was afraid the affects of the EMDR were going to wear off like a drug. Instead, the peace is there, just with less intensity.  I am so grateful for the sense of contentment and acceptance I had today.  It was the first time I have truly felt both emotional and physical respite from my heavy darkness. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. I can't wait to see you!