Meet Elaine
WHO I AM
I’m Elaine Skoulas, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. I am from the San Francisco Bay Area and am currently based in Los Angeles. I strongly believe in the power of therapy and love what I do. It is an honor to join with you on this path of self-examination to help uncover a new way of living filled with meaning, purpose, and joy. My journey to becoming a therapist came from overcoming my own personal life challenges, and I know that this is the work that I was always meant to do.
Growing up, I was very sensitive to other people's feelings and to conflict. I grew to understand my deep empathy for people is a strength that helps drive my passion for this valuable work. I have always been particularly attuned with and drawn to the people that were often overlooked, left behind, or considered “outliers”. I want to be there for you, even when it feels like no one has been there for you before. I identify as a highly sensitive person (HSP) and if you are interested in reading more about this please check out the resources page.
MY PHILOSOPHY
It takes a lot of courage to face the things that might be haunting you. When you have survived the darkest of times, it is already evident that you have inner resources and resiliency. It is not your past or challenges that define you, yet they can be an opportunity for growth. If you are ready to invite me into your life, I am committed to helping you through this sometimes difficult, but exceptionally meaningful process of self-discovery and positive change.
BACKGROUND AND EXPERIENCE
Featured in InStyle magazine article The Bars Are Open, But I'm Staying Sober Post-Pandemic
Education
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M.A. in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University with a specialization in Psychological Trauma Studies
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Undergraduate degree with a dual concentration in Psychology and Addiction Studies
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Completion of education with California Association for Drug/Alcohol Educators (CAADE)
Experience
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Clinical experience includes working in substance-use treatment centers with individuals and their families and facilitating group therapy in residential and intensive outpatient levels of care (The Pointe Malibu, Camden Center)
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Worked with non-profits and low-cost counseling centers to provide treatment for those who might not have access to mental health care otherwise (Painted Brain and Women's Clinic & Family Counseling Center)
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Facilitated a year long grief group for individual adults who recently experienced the death of a parent at Our House Grief Support Center
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Past groups include recovery and relapse-prevention, creative expressions therapy, interpersonal relationships, grief and loss, resourcing, family systems, mindfulness, inner child, and skills from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Professional Trainings
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EMDR (Eye Movement Desentization and Reprocessing) trained with completion of Level I and Level II of training including consultation hours through The Institute for Creative Mindfulness
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PRT (Pain Reprocessing Therapy) Certification and advanced consultation through the Pain Psychology Center
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The Power of Self-Compassion program through Kristen Neff and Chris Germer
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CRAFT (Community Reinforcement and Family Training) informed for helping loved ones of individuals contending with substance use/misuse through We The Village
Associations
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Active member of California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT)
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Group Psychotherapy Association of Los Angeles (GPALA)