About Ellen Polamero, MSW, LCSW

Professional counseling & therapy in Claremont, CA

We are all, in some way or another, dealing with the world around us – how the world is impacting us, and how we hope to have an impact on the world. My focus with clients is in better understanding this interaction between ourselves and our world, and how we can either change or work to accept those parts of ourselves and our world that trouble us. I look at people’s individual and unique strengths, how they approach problems, and the skills they already have in place to find solutions in life. I work with people to develop new skills, approaches and perspectives, and better define their place in their own world. I believe in the importance of acknowledging our emotions and embracing them, but not always being controlled by them.

More About Ellen

I am primarily trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and I often utilize mindfulness in my practice. I believe and have witnessed time and again that therapy is most effective when clients are actively involved in the session, and have the opportunity to make changes and practice them outside of their session.

Humor is important to me in my work with clients, as is grief. It is not uncommon to experience both laughter and tears in the same counseling session.

I have been in the field of mental health since 2002, obtained my Masters in Social Work from UCLA in 2006, and have been licensed as a clinical social worker since 2011. I worked for the first 7 years of my career with children and families, and have focused more on adults (young and old – I’ll let you define yourself!), and couples since 2010. I spent about a decade of my career in a cancer institute supporting patients and their families at all stages of the cancer experience, and have specialized training in supporting those affected by cancer or other chronic illnesses. I also have many years of experience supporting others through end of life decision making, death, grief and bereavement.

In addition to providing counseling to individuals and couples, I greatly enjoy providing clinical supervision to MSW students as well as pre-licensed professional social workers. I love to mentor and train others, and have been an invited speaker and workshop facilitator at multiple national conferences.

I love the outdoors, I love people, I love to laugh, I know the benefit of tears, and I love a nice, hot cup of coffee or tea.

Would you like to know more about me or my practice as a clinical social worker? Please feel free to contact me directly, I would be happy to talk further!

Ellen M Polamero, MSW, LCSW 27272
Board of Oncology Social Work – Certified (BOSW-C)
Advanced Certified Hospice and Palliative Social Worker (ACHP-SW)

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