Carol Ellstein

About Carol

Carol Ellstein, Ph.D is a Psychologist who graduated from Michigan State University in 1989. As a seasoned clinician, Carol has 36 years of experience in the field and is licensed in Pennsylvania and Michigan.

What makes you enjoy working with seniors? For starters, I am an older adult, so I'll be working with peers. I bring to the table over 40 years of professional experience and over 70 years of life experience that may be helpful for my clients.

Between us, there will be a lot of wisdom to mine! Why do you think online therapy is effective for seniors? Online therapy is convenient, efficient, and comfortable.

It enables older adults to stay home without needing to consider anxiety-provoking issues like weather conditions or traffic. Research has also indicated that online therapy is as effective as office-based therapy. Simply stated, online therapy can help clients maximize gains while minimizing pains to get there.

How do you approach therapy sessions? Our work together will resemble a running conversation. During the first session, I will ask questions about your presenting problem(s), your reason for seeking online psychotherapy, your expectations and goals, and your understanding of what psychotherapy can and can not provide for you.

I may request relevant background history that you think is important, and I can answer questions that you might have about me. By the end of the session, we will decide if we are a good fit for each other or if it would make better sense for you to work with a different provider. What is your advice to someone who is starting therapy for the first time?

Find someone whom you intuitively like. Ask the questions on your mind, and then check your gut for validation. Did the answers make sense, or were you confused?

Did you feel validated or disregarded? Is the person someone who will inspire you to let down your guard, or are you feeling defensive or misunderstood? Therapy is a process of speaking and seeking hard truths, and hopefully, you'll want to engage with someone who will listen to and respect your thoughts and feelings.