Dr. Lakisha Ellison

Dr. Lakisha Ellison is a Doctor of Social Work and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker practicing in North Carolina. She began her social work career in 2005 and brings 15 years of direct clinical experience working with children, adults, and families of varied ages, races, sexual orientations, genders, and abilities.

Over the years she has supported people coping with depression, anxiety, attachment concerns, grief and loss, parenting challenges, relationship difficulties, trauma and abuse, bipolar disorder, and adjustment issues. Her family work has included addressing child abuse and neglect, domestic violence, substance use concerns, and struggles with self-esteem.

Dr. Ellison’s current focus includes sexual trauma, anxiety, support for transgender individuals, and the lifelong effects of adverse childhood experiences. She also enjoys counseling queer and lesbian women of color who wish to explore the intersections of race, ethnicity, sexuality, gender, and oppression.

Her approach is client-centered, down-to-earth, and engaging. She integrates appropriate humor and selected holistic practices such as aromatherapy and healing rituals when helpful. While not exclusively a cognitive behavioral therapist, she frequently uses CBT techniques and encourages clients to apply those tools outside of sessions. She also draws from solution-focused methods, motivational interviewing, and elements of reality therapy. As a social worker she emphasizes a strength-based framework and considers each person within their unique environment.

Dr. Ellison aims to help clients become more authentic and empowered so they can live unapologetically real. She recognizes that change requires courage and effort, and she offers steady professional support to those beginning a therapy journey. The therapeutic relationship is central to her work, and she sees it as a privilege to assist individuals on that path. She looks forward to working with new clients.