You don’t have to
figure this out alone.
A quiet room, a kind ear and someone in your corner. We’ll go at your pace, start wherever you are, and make sense of things together.
- Free 15-minute call(828) 555-0148
- SessionsIn person in Asheville or online
- HoursMon to Thu, 9am to 6pm
A gentle check-in
Does this sound familiar?
Take your time. You don’t need to relate to all of it. One is enough.
- You’re tired in a way that sleep doesn’t fix.
- Your mind keeps running long after the day is done.
- You hold it together for everyone else. Then you don’t.
- Something big changed, and you’re not sure who you are now.
- You and your partner keep having the same fight.
- You miss someone, and the world expects you to be fine.
- You’re kind to others and hard on yourself.
None of this means something is wrong with you. It means you’ve been carrying a lot, maybe for a long time. That’s what we can set down together.
Hello, and welcome
I’m Maren Ellis, LPC.
I’m glad you’re here.
Reaching out to a therapist can feel like a lot. Maybe you’ve been thinking about it for months. Maybe today was the day it all got too heavy. Either way, you’re welcome here.
I work with adults and couples who want to feel steadier, closer and more like themselves again. Sessions are warm and practical. We talk, we notice what’s going on underneath, and we try small things that help in real life.
What we can work on together
Most people come in with a mix of things. That’s normal. Here are some of the places we might start.
Anxiety
Racing thoughts, a tight chest, the what-ifs at 2am. Learn to calm your body and quiet the worry, one step at a time.
Read more about anxietyDepression
When everything feels gray and heavy, and even small things take effort.
Burnout
Running on empty at work, at home, or both. Find your way back to rest.
Relationships
For couples and for you on your own. Talk, listen and feel close again.
Grief and loss
Room to miss someone, in whatever way grief shows up for you.
Life transitions
A move, a breakup, a new baby, a new chapter. Find your footing.
Self-esteem
Ease up on the inner critic and learn to be on your own side.
A small pause
Before you go on, take one slow breath with me.
Follow the circle. Breathe in through your nose as it grows. Let the air out slowly as it softens. There is no right way to do this.
How it works
Getting started is simpler than it seems.
No forms to fill out before we talk, and no commitment until you’re ready.
-
1
Reach out
Send a short note or give me a call. You don’t need the right words. “I think I’d like to talk to someone” is plenty.
-
2
A free 15-minute call
We’ll chat about what’s going on and what you’re hoping for. Ask me anything. There’s no pressure to book.
-
3
Your first session
We go slowly. I’ll ask a few questions, you share what feels okay to share, and we start to see the picture together.
-
4
Ongoing work
Often weekly to start. We check in as we go, and you are always in charge of the pace.
You don’t need the right words to begin. You only need a place to start.
Most first messages are one or two sentences, like “I’ve been struggling and I’d like to talk.” That is more than enough. I’ll take it from there.
Send a short noteHow I work
Proven ideas, offered gently.
I draw on a few well-studied approaches and shape them around you. You never need to know these names. I’ll explain anything as we go.
- CBTNotice the thought patterns that keep you stuck, and practice new ones.
- ACTMake room for hard feelings while moving toward what matters to you.
- Mindfulness-basedSmall, practical ways to come back to the present moment.
- Person-centeredYou’re the expert on your life. I listen closely and without judgment.
- EMDR-informedGentle tools drawn from EMDR to help mind and body process painful memories.
A safe place to land
What you share here stays here.
Therapy is confidential. There are a few legal exceptions, mostly about keeping people safe, and I’ll walk you through them in our first session so there are no surprises.
- You decide what to talk about, and when.
- It’s okay to say “I’m not ready for that yet.”
- Online sessions use a secure, private video platform.
What happens on the free consultation call?
It’s a relaxed 15-minute phone or video chat. You can share as much or as little as you like about what’s going on. I’ll tell you how I work, and together we’ll see if it feels like a good fit. If it doesn’t, I’m happy to suggest other places to look.
I’ve never been to therapy. Is that okay?
Absolutely. Many people start right where you are. I’ll explain how things work as we go, and there are no wrong answers or silly questions.
Do you offer online sessions?
Yes. I see clients in person in Asheville and online anywhere in North Carolina. Lots of people like having a session from their own couch, with their own tea.
How much does a session cost?
Individual sessions are $150 for 50 minutes and couples sessions are $185 for 75 minutes. The first 15-minute call is always free. I don’t bill insurance directly, but I can give you a superbill for out-of-network benefits.
Reaching out is the hardest part.
You’ve already started.
Book a free 15-minute consultation. We’ll talk, you’ll ask anything you like, and you can decide what’s next with no pressure at all.