Elizabeth Skaff

Elizabeth Skaff is a licensed independent social worker with more than two decades of clinical experience. She brings a practical, client-centered style to sessions and focuses on helping people talk through stress, anxiety, depression, relationship strain, and feelings of isolation and loneliness. Elizabeth works in Ohio and conducts therapy in English. She began clinical work after earning a master's degree in 1999 from Case Western Reserve University's Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences. Her early career was in an inpatient psychiatric unit treating mostly children and adolescents while coordinating with families and schools. Two years later she obtained her independent license and moved into private practice. Over the past 20 years in private practice her caseload broadened and shifted toward young adults and adults. Common topics she addresses include transitioning to adulthood, family and parenting struggles, self-esteem, impulse control, addiction concerns, bipolar and mood issues, and coping with life changes. She also supports people dealing with blended family dynamics, communication problems, and financial stress. Elizabeth often uses client-centered conversation to build trust and clarity. She regularly incorporates elements of cognitive behavioral work to identify unhelpful thoughts and change behaviors. Solution-focused ideas are used to highlight strengths and small, achievable steps forward. Her approach aims to be supportive and nonjudgmental while centering each person's goals. She recognizes that starting therapy can be difficult and encourages anyone considering help to take that first step.

How these approaches guide online therapy

Client-centered therapy focuses on listening, empathy, and following the client's lead to build understanding and trust. In practice this means the therapist reflects concerns, helps prioritize what matters most, and supports each person as they decide next steps.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, helps people notice thought patterns that affect moods and behavior. Sessions often include identifying unhelpful thoughts and practicing small behavior changes to reduce anxiety, manage mood, or address impulse control.

Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will talk with the client about goals and try methods that fit their needs and preferences, adjusting over time based on what helps most.

Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy life by removing travel time and allowing more flexible scheduling. Before booking, confirm which session formats the therapist currently offers since the biography does not list them explicitly. Many people find remote sessions helpful for regular check-ins, focused skill practice drawn from CBT, or conversation-based client-centered work that supports coping with loneliness, life transitions, and relationship stress.