Helping Professionals Interview Series: Elena Switzer, MSW, LCSW of Peaceful Hearts Counseling, LLC
We are recently had a fantastic opportunity to connect with Elena Switzer, MSW, LCSW of Peaceful Hearts Counseling, LLC to learn more about her faith-based approach working with individuals and families in MO, KS, TN, and FL!
Why did you choose to become a counselor?
Elena Switzer, MSW, LCSW
When I was in high school, I had to complete 100 hours of community service and as I was doing the various projects, I realized that I loved helping people. Heading into my senior year of high school, I completed a summer internship shadowing a social worker who worked in adoptions and loved seeing how people’s lives could be transformed.
This led me to a career in social work, and after working as a case manager at a homeless facility in CA and at a residential facility for children in TX after college, I decided to pursue a Master’s degree so that I could help children and families on a deeper level with healing their emotional wounds, rather than just caring for their physical needs.
What kind of treatment do you provide?
I offer individual and family therapy for all ages, with a faith-based approach for clients who prefer that. Some of the treatment modalities I use are Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, play/art therapy approaches, supportive psychotherapy, and sometimes group therapy. I don’t currently have any therapy groups right now, but have offered a social anxiety group in the past for teen girls.
What ages do you work with?
They youngest client I have seen is 3 years old, but I prefer that they be more verbal and able to focus on a task for more than just a few minutes. I also prefer parents to be involved in sessions with younger clients (ages 7 and under).
The oldest clients I have seen are in their 80’s, but I can work with all ages in between.
What can parents expect to leave with after working with you?
I hope that parents leave with some hope that things can get better. That is the main goal of every session I have with my clients - to give them hope and peace of mind that things will not always be so difficult and that they don’t have to go through it alone. I will also provide resources, tools, and information to parents so they can further support their child.
Who are your favorite types of clients to work with and who would you refer to another therapist?
I love working with children of all ages, as well as families. I involve parents as much as possible in my work with children because I see the family as a system and want to support the parents, as well as the children.
I don’t work with couples and would refer out for couples therapy. I also am not typically able to offer weekly sessions due to my limited availability, so if someone has a high level of risk or needs intensive therapy, I would refer out so they can get the level of care they need.
What does family counseling look like with you?
I do offer family therapy, and enjoy it very much. I try to clarify with families that sessions won’t always include all family members, that sometimes an individual or two people may need more work, so I structure sessions based on those needs.
Some sessions will be with just parents, some with just children, some with everyone, etc. I try to make it fun, allow everyone a chance to have their voice heard, create goals together as a family, and provide tools so they can improve communication and respect towards one another. I incorporate play/art therapy techniques with families to engage them more than just talking for the whole session, too.
What happens during a first appointment with you?
I usually review the Informed Consent Form first, which I send ahead of time for clients to review and sign. I review with them the other intake forms that have been requested in advance and try to get some background information about their concerns, their family, past experience in therapy, etc. I offer to meet with parents alone in the first session if they prefer, or split the time between the parents and child. Some children who are very anxious prefer parents to be in the room the whole session, so I allow the child to decide whatever makes them the most comfortable.
My main goal in the first session is to build rapport and help the client feel heard and comfortable with me. I usually try to include time for a game or art activity with kids/teens so we can get to know each other better.
How do you incorporate your specialty in Catholic counseling into your practice?
As a Catholic therapist, I recognize that everyone is coming from a different place with their own faith journey and try to respect their wishes from the initial session onward. I ask clients if they are comfortable opening and closing the session in prayer, and if they are, I allow them to choose prayers they prefer from books I have in my office.
I also incorporate spirituality into conversation and encourage clients who are struggling with certain aspects of prayer/faith to seek a spiritual director for additional support. I have a list of spiritual directors I can provide for this purpose.
However, not everyone is wanting faith-based counseling, so I respect that and would not pray or discuss faith for those who are not wanting that to be incorporated into their sessions. Many of my clients are Catholic or Christian and prefer a therapist with the same faith background.
Could you talk a little about your approach and how it plays into your work with people recovering from anxiety?
I have seen various clients with anxiety in the 14 years I have been a therapist. Some of them show their anxiety outwardly (externalizing symptoms) and others inwardly (internalizing). I try to provide education about anxiety, as well as techniques for youth and adults to monitor/gauge their anxiety, communicate it to others when needed, and manage it better so it doesn’t impede their daily functioning.
Several of my clients take medication in combination with therapy for their anxiety, but some do not. I try to explore any concerns and their level of willingness to try medication, and refer to psychiatrists as needed for pharmacological intervention if the client is willing and able to do so. Most recently, I have been learning more about Polyvagal Theory and how resetting the vagus nerve can reduce anxiety, which I am sharing with clients, as well.
What do you wish people knew about going to see a therapist?
I wish people knew that even therapists need therapists! I have been to therapy more than once and always find it helpful. I also want people to know that they are the experts on their own lived experiences, and we will be collaborating as partners to help them heal and move forward in their journeys to wellness and peace.
Do you provide online therapy and, if so, what do you like about it?
I do offer telehealth services when clients request or need it, but I still prefer in person sessions whenever possible. I like that telehealth sessions can allow me to work with people I would not normally see, such as in other states (I have multi-state licensure in 4 states - MO, KS, TN, and FL) and in rural areas who cannot travel to see me in person on a regular basis. I have been able to find engaging platforms and tools to use with kids/teens so they can enjoy a telehealth session more.
Share one fun fact about you that most people don’t know.
I am a yellow belt in Taekwondo and have three black belts in my immediate family! We train together as a family, and it has helped me to learn something new during this season in my life.
How can people learn more and contact you?
My email address is eswitzer@peacefulheartscounselingllc.com and my number is (314) 626-3122.
I am quicker to respond via email than phone since I am in sessions most of the day.
You can find out more about Elena here:
https://mycatholicdoctor.com/resources/doctors/elena-switzer-lcsw/
Curious to learn more about getting treatment for anxiety? Wondering if you need to connect with a therapist in St. Louis? Contact Compassionate Counseling St. Louis to set up a free 15-minute phone consult. We’ll talk about what’s going on and best next steps - and if we’re not the right fit, we’ll connect you with other wonderful therapists, like Elena!
Curious to learn more about anxiety and anxiety-driven anger? Reach out to us at hello@compassionatecounselingstl.com. As child anxiety experts, we love working with kids, teens, college students and parents to help manage their anxiety, stress, and anger. Compassionate Counseling St. Louis is located in Clayton, MO and works with families by offering both in-person counseling and online therapy throughout St. Louis City, St. Louis County, Ladue, University City, Town and Country, Webster Groves, Creve Couer, Kirkwood, Richmond Heights, and Brentwood. We also provide online therapy Missouri -wide to teens and college students. You can set up your first free consult on this website, on our consultation page.