Elaine Brandon

My name is Elaine Brandon, and I am a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) based in San Antonio, Texas and working with clients statewide via telehealth. I have been practicing for over 25 years. I work with adolescents and young adults, specializing in anxiety, stress, and depression, using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Solution Focused Brief Therapy to help my clients make progress and start feeling better.

My approach

The therapeutic approach I use depends on the needs of my clients. I most frequently use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Solution Focused Brief Therapy, as both modalities help me meet my clients where they are so that together, we begin building a shared understanding of their reality, allowing us to work together to plan their journey forward.

My focus

I have discovered that my style and approach is a good fit working with teens and young adults who may be dealing with the challenges faced with life transitions and social pressures often taking the form of anxiety, depression, and stress. I help my clients negotiate through these transitional periods and building coping skills and self-esteem allowing them to feel better about themselves as well as developing more positive outlooks on life.

My communication style

My communication style is calm, accommodating, non-judgmental, and personable. I want my clients to feel that they can talk to me about anything. I want them to feel comfortable and to know that they are in a safe, judgement-free space.

My journey to mental healthcare

I became a therapist after earning my bachelor’s degree in finance and spending a decade in the business world. At the same time, I was also working with the youth in my church and realized that my job was not what I wanted to be doing which was to help youth. I began working on my master’s degree in counseling, at the same time I began teaching older elementary/middle school youth as a start to my journey to career in helping youth. Once I received my degree and license I worked with youth and their families to meet their best interests and to help them realize their full potential.

My goals for you

My approach to goal setting begins with building rapport and trust, as well as defining what being in therapy means to you. Setting goals is not about what I want you to accomplish in our time together, it is about what you would like to accomplish. I will help you define this. We will work together to goals and track your progress.

My first session with you

During our first session together, you can expect us to begin to build rapport and trust, a connection. We will spend time talking about what has led you to counseling, how you have been feeling, why you might be feeling this way. I will ask you questions to help us figure out what direction we may need to go next. Counseling is not cookie cutter, everyone is different, I will meet you where you are, and we will go at your pace. We will work together in this journey to your positive tomorrow.