Ellen Sophis Gillespie, LICSW
I grew up and in the Greater Boston Area and received my BA in Psychology from the College of the Holy Cross and Master of Social Work (MSW) in Mental Health from Boston College School of Social Work. I have worked in private practice full time since December 2019 when I left my position on an inpatient unit at McLean Hospital where I gained expertise working with patients struggling with acute mental health issues and their families. My specialties include adolescents and adults contending with issues pertaining to mood, anxiety, thought, eating, and trauma as well as the exploration of identity, self-esteem, and relationship issues. I have a particular passion for working with students, new parents, and family members of those struggling with major mental illness.
I provide psychotherapy with a passion for exploring deeper emotional issues through the therapeutic alliance. I take a client-centered approach to my practice, integrating principles that target acute symptoms with skills-based interventions while addressing underlying dynamics through insight-oriented work to promote lasting change and growth.
Curriculum Vitae
Clinical
2018 - present: Private practice
2017 - 2019: Lead Social Worker, Short Term Unit, McLean Hospital
2016 - 2017: Clinical Social Worker Associate, Short Term Unit, McLean Hospital
2015 - 2016: Clinical Social Worker Associate Float, McLean Hospital
2014 - 2015: Social Work Intern, Klarman Eating Disorders Center, McLean Hospital
Education
2023 - present: Program for Certification in Perinatal Mental Health
2017 - 2022: Advanced Training Program in Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy, Boston Psychoanalytic Society and Institute (BPSI)
2015 - 2016: One Year Fellowship in Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy, Child and Adolescent Track, BPSI
2012 - 2015: Master of Social Work in Mental Health, Boston College School of Social Work
2008 - 2012: Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, College of the Holy Cross
Licensure
2017 to present: Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW)