Ellen Thornton-Love , LCSW

Ellen Thornton-Love is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) based in Oregon with 20 years of professional experience supporting individuals through difficult life challenges. As an LCSW she brings advanced clinical social work training to her practice, offering informed, compassionate care for people facing stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief and loss, parenting concerns, and depression.

She also works with a wide range of related issues, including attachment and family of origin concerns, caregiver stress, chronic illness and pain, communication challenges, impulsivity, midlife transitions, financial stress, mood disorders, panic attacks, postpartum depression, post-traumatic stress, self-harm, and sexual assault and abuse. Ellen adapts her approach to meet each person’s specific situation, combining practical strategies with a respectful, empathetic stance.

Ellen favors collaborative treatment planning, shaping conversations and interventions around a person’s goals and circumstances rather than applying a one-size-fits-all method. Her work emphasizes sensitivity and respect, and she aims to help clients build coping skills, improve relationships, and navigate transitions with greater resilience.

Beginning therapy can be a courageous step, and Ellen offers steady support through that process, guiding clients as they explore changes that lead to a more satisfying and balanced life.

Therapeutic Approaches Adapted for Online Care

Ellen Thornton-Love incorporates Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) as primary approaches in her practice. ACT focuses on helping people accept difficult thoughts and feelings while committing to actions that align with their values - it is useful for managing anxiety, stress, and persistent worry. CBT helps identify and shift unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns, offering structured tools for coping with depression, panic, and mood-related challenges.

She also draws on client-centered principles, creating an empathetic, nonjudgmental space where the individual’s goals guide the work. Finding the right mix of approaches is part of the therapeutic process; Ellen collaborates with each person to determine what fits best based on their needs, goals, and preferences, adjusting strategies as progress unfolds.

Online therapy with Ellen is offered through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to provide flexibility for different schedules and comfort levels. These options make it easier to access consistent care from wherever the client is located within Ellen’s practice area, allowing ongoing support that fits into everyday life.