Ellie Pappas, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, LCSW & Life Coach

Welcome

Has it come to your conscious awareness that you are getting in your own way of true growth and contentment? Personally, I am overly familiar with this state of being since the experience of anxiety and worst case scenario thinking began for me at a very young age. At the age of 19, I realized I did not want to live this way anymore.

I didn’t realize that I was suffering from high functioning anxiety. Everything looked fine on the outside, but I didn’t like myself, I ate poorly, was overweight, thought the worst and had a serious case of social anxiety. I knew I had to start somewhere, so I started moving my body by rollerblading. I started going to therapy. I pulled out my astrology books to help understand myself on a deeper level and I dusted off some of my old psychology books I had from a high school class.

At age 22 I became a summer counselor for teens and I realized then that I wanted to spend my life holding space for people in a way where they could heal themselves. I soon decided to do my Master’s in Social Work. During my studies, I felt right at home, surrounded by people who were passionate about the same things I was.

The journey continued when at age 23, a friend told me about the Enneagram, an ancient, esoteric Typology system. I continue to learn and become trained in this system today. Around that same time, I started to learn about Buddhist teachings and meditation and continue to do so. These teachings inform my practice today. Later, in 2014, I obtained my Life Coaching Certification in Law of Attraction. I have since held many law of attraction workshops and I have completed numerous coaching programs. I also became certified in Reiki (2017) and collaborated as well as facilitated many, many reiki and meditation circles.

“It’s no use going back to yesterday because I was a different person then”

- Alice In Wonderland

My experience in a nutshell

  • Licensed Master’s in Social Work 2010

  • International Coaching Federation Certification 2014

  • Reiki Master Certification 2017

  • Clinical Psychotherapy license 2022

  • Enneagram Certification (in process).

What I’ve learned and what I believe in…

SELF AWARENEss

The start and continuation to any personal journey is self awareness. In my work with you, I put all my energy into asking you deep questions with the aim of giving you the space to get to know yourself better. At times, this can be fun and at other times, it can be a challenge to see yourself in the mirror. I confidently hold a safe space for you regardless. Acknowledgement of your pain points is the start.

PRACTICE

It’s simply not enough to talk around pain points. Once clarity and intention have been established, is when true practice and thus transformation can occur. Strategies and tools are at the very heart of my work. Experimenting with different tools (be it journaling, mindfulness, somatic exercises, practical action steps, etc) must be explored for growth and healing to take place.

ACCOUNTABILITY

I provide what I call, “integration assignments.” The purpose of this is to truly integrate and apply what we process in session. Most of your growth will happen outside of our time together. You get what you put in and I will hold you to it!

INTENTION SETTING

This is a process of gaining clarity and setting intentions. What do you want? Why do you want it? How do you want to FEEL? When will you start?

Exploring and identifying negative belief systems

The only way out is through. Admitting and facing your inner blocks is the path to letting go that which does not serve you.

A little bit more about me if you’re curious to know

I am a lifelong seeker in so many ways. I am and always will be fascinated by astrology (I am a Cancer Sun, Leo Rising, Pisces Moon, Leo Venus, Pluto in Scorpio!), the Enneagram (I am a Type 6, wing 7: Tritype 6,4,9). Human behavior will never bore me because I find behavioral patterns so fascinating, and at times, amusing.

I hold on tight to tools and routines that keep me grounded and connected to my spiritual center. And I am on a perpetual path to discovering new tools as I go along. I can usually recognize when I need support and I do my best to secure that for myself when I need to.

I’ve gone through many phases of different eating styles and diets. And over the last few years, have dedicated myself to eating intuitively.

The principles and practices I have learned from the Law of Attraction (since 2012) and specifically, the teachings of Abraham Hicks have been and continue to be life changing. You are what you seek. You attract what you are. Stepping into the frequency you see for yourself through future visioning is a powerful practice I engage in regularly and I teach it to my clients with passion.

But none of this transformation can happen unless you meet yourself where you are right now. Deep self compassion, understanding and the acknowledgement of the shadow sides that exist inside you must be integrated and embraced by YOU. This is a never ending journey with infinite onion layers. You won’t ever get it done and that’s the beauty of life. My hope is that everyone I encounter can relax in that knowing.

My favorite ways to meet myself and ground myself include journaling, yin yoga, sound meditation and mantras. I am passionate about engaging in deep inner work and caring for the mind.