- LGBTQ+ affirming
- DBT and ACT methods
- Life purpose support
About Catherine
Catherine Elzie is an LCSW - Licensed Clinical Social Worker practicing in Oregon with 15 years of mental health experience. She works with people facing relationship challenges, trauma and abuse, mood disorders such as depression and bipolar, and LGBT concerns. Her profile also highlights life purpose as a focus area, alongside issues like guilt, shame, and communication problems.
She takes a collaborative approach and treats clients as the experts on their own lives. Sessions often include direct conversation, practical skills training, and a willingness to use humor when it fits. Catherine describes herself as body positive and LGBTQ+ affirming, and she uses a sex-positive stance in relevant conversations.
Her methods draw from several evidence-based approaches. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns. Dialectical Behavior Therapy provides skills for managing intense emotions and improving distress tolerance. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy encourages values-based action and noticing thoughts without getting stuck in them.
Before becoming an LCSW she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Politics from the University of California, Santa Cruz and a Master of Social Work from the University of Nevada, Reno. Her background includes work with people affected by substance use and many years addressing trauma, including combat and non-combat PTSD for veterans.
In sessions she aims to be straightforward and validating. She brings a practical focus to problems like chronic pain, family of origin issues, and life-purpose questions. People who want a direct, nonjudgmental clinician who will collaborate on next steps may find this approach useful.
How Catherine uses specific approaches in online work
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people clarify what matters to them and take action toward those values while learning to notice difficult thoughts. It can be useful for people unsure about next steps or questions of life purpose. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on spotting unhelpful thoughts and testing different behaviors to change how someone feels. It is often used for depression and mood regulation. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) teaches concrete skills for managing strong emotions, improving communication, and reducing self-destructive patterns.Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist collaborates with each person to decide which methods fit best, based on goals, preferences, and how problems show up in daily life. That means trying skill practice, values exercises, or thought-recording and checking in to see what helps.
The original biography does not list specific session formats. Confirm current options before booking so you know whether sessions are remote or in person and which formats are available. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy day, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and reduce travel time. Therapists often adjust pacing and use practical exercises that translate to video or phone conversations to keep progress moving forward.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
15+ years
Listed in
Oregon
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns does she address?
She works with relationship problems, trauma and abuse, mood disorders like depression and bipolar, and LGBT concerns. Life purpose and related issues such as guilt, shame, and communication problems are also listed.
How would she approach feeling stuck or directionless?
Her approach is collaborative and practical, using conversation, skills practice, and values-focused work. She draws on methods such as ACT, DBT, and CBT to help people notice patterns and try different actions.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has 15 years of professional experience in mental health and additional experience in substance abuse treatment. Her history includes work with trauma and veteran populations.
What are her credentials and where does she practice?
She is an LCSW - Licensed Clinical Social Worker licensed in Oregon. Her listed location is Oregon.
Does she work in languages other than English?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can people outside the United States work with her?
International clients are not currently accepted.
What session formats are offered?
The biography does not specify session formats. Please confirm current session options before booking to know whether remote or in-person sessions are available.
How much do sessions cost and how do subscriptions work?
Cost varies with location and sessions are billed through a subscription that can be canceled at any time. Follow the platform flow to review pricing for your area.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger, use the crisis numbers.