Ellie Mental Health - Olathe, KS

09/01/2025

This month, we're joining the call to break the silence, fight stigma, and support those impacted by su***de.

Su***de is complex and often misunderstood. Awareness and connection save lives.

Throughout September, we'll be sharing resources, facts, and reminders that you are not alone, and that it's okay to ask for help.

💛 Whether you're struggling, supporting a loved one, or simply want to be part of the change-there's a place for you in this conversation.

***dePrevention ***dePreventionMonth

08/22/2025

Back-to-school nerves? Totally normal. Help kids feel more in control with a variety of simple coping skills they can use anytime. What coping skills work best for you or your kids?

08/11/2025

Struggling to set boundaries without feeling like the bad guy?

This podcast episode is for anyone who's ever struggled to say no, felt drained by unclear expectations, or wondered how to protect their peace without burning bridges.

Therapists Miranda Barker, LICSW, Letisha Harris, MA and Madison Wozniak, LCSW have an honest, practical conversation inspired by the book "Set Boundaries, Find Peace" by Nedra Glover Tawwab.

We explore:
🔹 What healthy boundaries actually look like in real life
🔹 How trauma and guilt can make boundary-setting harder
🔹 The difference between time, material, emotional, and internal boundaries
🔹 How we've grown (and stumbled) through boundary work ourselves

Whether you’re a therapist, a client, or just someone navigating the messiness of relationships, this episode offers tools and takeaways you can use right away. Here's the link to the episode on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/07cgH1wdmbfORDCfHiT0Bp?si=73TM0KZzQlSqSCGyreN-lg

Let us know what you think of this episode in the comments! ⬇

08/08/2025

Big emotions in little bodies can feel overwhelming-- for them and for us. Here’s how to respond without losing your cool. 💥➡️💞

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.

08/04/2025

Hi, I’m Conor! I’m a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) who’s passionate about helping people feel supported, empowered, and better equipped to navigate life’s unexpected turns.

I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Kansas State University (Go Cats! 🐾) and went on to complete my Master’s in Social Work at the University of Kansas with a clinical focus. My background includes working with children, adolescents, and adults in therapeutic settings, along with supporting the geriatric population in various healthcare environments.

I take a strengths-based, collaborative approach and incorporate evidence-based practices like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to help clients build resilience and move forward with confidence. Drawing on my background in medical social work, I’m especially passionate about supporting individuals of all ages as they process a medical diagnosis or cope with grief and loss. No matter what brings you to therapy, I’m here to walk alongside you with care and compassion.

I enjoy working with people of all ages, creating a space where each client feels truly seen, heard, and empowered to take steps toward healing. 💛

Outside of work, you’ll likely find me spending quality time with my two cats, enjoying a cozy evening at home, burning a candle, and getting into a good show. 🕯️📺

I was drawn to this field because I believe no one should have to navigate life’s challenges alone. My goal is to be a steady, supportive presence—helping clients make sense of their experiences and find a path forward that feels true to them.

Want to connect with Conor? He’s now seeing clients at our Olathe office.
Tap the link in our bio to schedule your first session today! 🐘

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.

Ready to get started on your own journey? 🐘
Tap the link in our bio to schedule an appointment today! ✨

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.

07/27/2025