- CBT techniques
- Mindfulness practice
- Stress and trauma
About Ella
Dr. Ella Ray is a Pennsylvania psychologist (PA Psychologist PS005318L) with 36 years of clinical experience. She works with adults facing stress, anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship and intimacy concerns, and questions about life purpose. She also supports people managing parenting pressures, grief, anger, sleep problems, and career transitions.
She uses a mix of cognitive techniques and mindfulness in sessions. That means she helps clients notice unhelpful thought patterns and then practices awareness skills to reduce overwhelming feelings. She encourages people to identify their strengths and apply them to real goals rather than only focusing on problems.
Her experience includes work with trauma that is physical and racial in nature, and she notes multicultural issues are an ongoing focus. She describes a broad caseload shaped in part by an interracial and international family, and she says she avoids assumptions based on appearance. During sessions she asks clients to tell their stories and to question any suggestions offered.
Dr. Ray also addresses challenges like low self-esteem, procrastination, impostor feelings, caregiver stress, chronic illness or pain, and isolation. She combines practical thought work with mindfulness practices to help clear anxious thinking so clients can pay attention to what is actually happening.
She follows the ethical rules of the Pennsylvania State Board of Psychology and explains that some basic identification and health information is collected before an initial appointment. Her style includes clear explanations, occasional humor, and an emphasis on understanding any suggestions given.
How her approaches translate to online work
Dr. Ray uses Client-Centered approaches and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in clinical work. Client-Centered work focuses on listening closely and responding to what a person says so sessions follow the client’s concerns. CBT targets specific thought patterns and behaviors, helping people test and change unhelpful thinking that keeps them stuck.She also uses Dialectical Behavior Therapy skills in some cases to teach practical emotion regulation and distress-tolerance techniques. Those skills are useful for intense emotional reactions, anxiety, and managing relationship-related conflict. Together these approaches support work on stress, trauma-related symptoms, self-esteem, career blocks, and questions about life purpose.
Finding the right approach is part of the therapy process. She works collaboratively with clients to decide which methods fit their goals and preferences. That means trying techniques, checking what helps, and adjusting the plan as needed.
If you want to pursue sessions online, confirm the specific session formats offered before booking since formats are not listed in the biography. Online work can make it easier to fit appointments into a busy week, allow shorter check-ins when time is limited, and remove the need to travel. Licensed professionals can adapt CBT, mindfulness exercises, and DBT skills training to remote sessions to focus on practical changes and daily coping.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
36+ years
Listed in
Pennsylvania
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns does she work with?
She works with stress, anxiety, depression, trauma and abuse, self-esteem, relationship and intimacy issues, grief, parenting strain, career questions, life purpose, and related concerns listed in her profile.
How does she approach feeling stuck or directionless?
She combines cognitive techniques with mindfulness to help clients notice unhelpful thoughts and reduce overwhelming feelings so they can focus on practical next steps.
What is her clinical background and experience?
She holds a Ph.D. in clinical psychology and has 36 years of therapeutic experience working with a diverse caseload.
What credential and location are listed for her practice?
She is listed as PA Psychologist PS005318L and practices in Pennsylvania.
Which languages are offered in sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
Does she work with international clients?
She does not accept international clients at this time.
How does cost work for sessions?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin the process of working together?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session as instructed.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger, use the crisis numbers.