Ellie Mental Health- Akron, OH-White Pond Drive

08/06/2025

We're excited to welcome Stephen Bond to our Ellie Mental Health family in Akron, OH! 🎉 Stephen joins us on 8/11/2025, ready to start helping clients without any waitlist. Let’s give him a warm welcome! 💙



https://elliementalhealth.com/locations/akron-white-pond-drive-oh/

08/05/2025

Back-to-school season is here and for many families, so is back-to-school anxiety.

Whether it’s the fear of new routines, separation from parents, or social pressure, the transition can bring up gigantic feelings for kids of all ages.

In this blog, therapist Miranda Barker, LICSW shares:
✅ Common signs of back-to-school anxiety in kids and teens
✅ Practical tools and coping strategies to try at home and in the classroom
✅ Book recommendations to support emotional wellness
✅ Simple morning and evening routines to ease transitions
✅ When it might be time to seek additional support

Let’s normalize school jitters and empower our kids with the tools they need to thrive (not just survive) the school year. 🍎🎒

📖 Read the full blog here:
https://elliementalhealth.com/calming-first-day-fears-a-parents-guide-to-back-to-school-anxiety/

Help kids conquer back-to-school anxiety with practical tips, calming routines, and coping strategies for a smooth transition.

08/01/2025

Mary is now booking both in-person and virtual appointments at our newest location: 575 White Pond Drive, Suite A/B. Contact us today to schedule your session—no waitlist, and most major insurances accepted. Take the first step toward mental wellness.



https://elliementalhealth.com/locations/akron-white-pond-drive-oh/

Phone #: 234-601-0244

07/31/2025

Hi, I’m Reyna. I am a licensed LPC offering therapy to help people navigate all the messy, beautiful, confusing parts of life with warmth, honesty, and a little humor when it helps. I also help people build systems to make life a little easier.
I work with families, individuals, and couples, but specialize in women and girls of color and their unique experiences.

I use approaches that include CBT, DBT, and mindfulness to support you in growth that feels realistic, and addresses the full person.

My style is collaborative, affirming, and focused on keeping you connected with who you are, as well as building a community, because we are not meant to be in isolation.

Whether you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or just don’t know where to start, I’m here to walk alongside you on your journey.

https://elliementalhealth.com/locations/akron-white-pond-drive-oh/

07/30/2025

Today, on , we hold space for the losses that changed us— the ones we speak of often and the ones we carry quietly.

Whether your grief is fresh or decades old, visible or invisible, your pain is real. We're thinking of you today.

Here are some tips and book recommendations from one of our therapists for helping kids navigate grief and loss.

https://elliementalhealth.com/locations/akron-white-pond-drive-oh/

07/28/2025

Ever zoned out during a meeting, driven somewhere and not remembered how you got there, or felt totally disconnected in a stressful moment?

These aren’t just quirks.... they can be signs of dissociation, a powerful and often misunderstood coping mechanism.

In therapy spaces, we talk about dissociation often. But outside of them, people may not recognize it or know what to do when it shows up. For folks with trauma histories, dissociation isn’t just occasional spacing out—it’s the nervous system protecting itself when things feel too overwhelming to process.

➡️ In this new blog post, Ellie therapist Miranda Barker, LICSW, breaks down:
- What dissociation actually is (and isn’t)
- Why the body uses it as a survival response
- How trauma-informed approaches like EMDR, parts work, and somatic therapy can help
- Practical grounding strategies that reconnect people to the present

Whether you're a clinician, a mental health advocate, or someone who’s felt disconnected and didn’t have a word for it—this is worth the read.

🔗 Check it out here: https://elliementalhealth.com/feeling-disconnected-a-therapists-guide-to-understanding-dissociation/

🎧 Bonus: Watch this related podcast episode featuring trauma therapist Amy Wilkerson, LICSW, for more insights. https://youtu.be/2Cxr5KB8Atg?si=p-mTzj5ZgGmwveOx

Explore how dissociation serves as a trauma coping mechanism and discover therapeutic approaches for healing.

07/25/2025

Ever heard of DBT?

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a powerful, evidence-based approach that helps people manage intense emotions, improve relationships, and build a life worth living.

Originally developed for borderline personality disorder, DBT is now used to support anyone struggling with:
💥 Big emotional swings
🧠 Anxiety or depression
🗣️ Conflict in relationships
🧍‍♀️ Feeling stuck in unhelpful patterns

DBT teaches skills in 4 key areas:
Mindfulness
Emotion Regulation
Distress Tolerance
Interpersonal Effectiveness

It’s not just about coping, it’s about thriving with tools that actually work.



https://elliementalhealth.com/locations/akron-white-pond-drive-oh/

07/11/2025

Most of us listen to respond, not to understand.

Active listening is a skill, and it doesn't always come naturally. It means slowing down, staying present, and showing someone that their words matter. Here are a few tips:

👂 Put your phone away
⏸ Pause before responding
🧠 Reflect back what you hear
❓ Ask questions, not solutions
💬 Validate their feelings

Want to get better at it? Try one of these tips in your next conversation and see what shifts.

https://elliementalhealth.com/locations/akron-white-pond-drive-oh/

07/09/2025

Looking for support in Akron/Fairlawn, OH? Our newest Ellie Mental Health location makes it easy to schedule your appointment with a trusted therapist. Prioritize your mental well-being today—reach out and take the first step toward feeling better! 💙🗓️



https://elliementalhealth.com/locations/akron-white-pond-drive-oh/

07/08/2025

Struggling with self-confidence? You’re not alone.

Swipe through for small mindset shifts and practical tools that can help you build lasting confidence-- straight from one of our awesome therapists, Rayna Larson, LLMSW.

Read more here: https://elliementalhealth.com/building-self-confidence-8-practical-tips-to-boost-your-self-esteem/



https://elliementalhealth.com/locations/akron-white-pond-drive-oh/

07/07/2025

What if building confidence wasn’t about “faking it”, but about changing the way you relate to yourself?

In a recent blog, Ellie therapist Rayna Larson, LLMSW, shares 8 practical ways to build self-confidence, and it goes far beyond pep talks and mirror affirmations.

A few tips that really stood out:
✔️ Challenge negative self-talk: Start with notice, evaluate, replace.
✔️ Celebrate small wins: Your progress counts, even when it’s not loud.
✔️ Practice assertiveness: Saying no can be an act of self-care.
✔️ Lean on positive influences: Your environment matters more than you think.

Self-confidence isn’t a trait you’re born with, it’s a skill you can build. Whether you’re navigating burnout, people-pleasing, or just feeling stuck, Rayna’s piece offers grounded, compassionate strategies that anyone can try.

Read the full blog here: https://elliementalhealth.com/building-self-confidence-8-practical-tips-to-boost-your-self-esteem/

https://elliementalhealth.com/locations/akron-white-pond-drive-oh/

Join the Ellie Mental Health Family in Akron - White Pond Drive, OH and get compassionate and personalized care in a judgment-free zone.

07/04/2025

Happy 4th of July! 🎆

We hope that you can take a moment to unplug, soak up some sunshine, and be with your favorite people today.



https://elliementalhealth.com/locations/akron-white-pond-drive-oh/