- Nonjudgmental approach
- Practical coping skills
- 32 years experience
About Ilene
Ilene Vallance, LMSW, brings more than three decades of clinical work to her practice in Michigan. She is a Licensed Master Social Worker and has spent 32 years helping adults who are feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or worn down. Her manner is calm and nonjudgmental, and she focuses on practical steps people can use right away.
She commonly helps with stress, anxiety, depression, grief, and problems that come with major life changes. She also supports people dealing with relationship strain, parenting challenges, sleeping problems, chronic illness, caregiver stress, and compassion fatigue. She listens for what matters most and works with each person to set clear, realistic goals.
Her approach draws on tools from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, client-centered work, and mindfulness exercises. In sessions she uses those methods to build coping skills, notice unhelpful thinking patterns, and practice new behaviors. She keeps explanations simple and gives concrete techniques to use between visits.
She has experience in both public and private mental health settings and applies that background to support practical problem solving. Scheduling is flexible with weekday and some Saturday options to fit different routines. People who want a steady, empathic clinician for life transitions, grief, or ongoing mood concerns may find her approach straightforward and helpful.
To begin, people follow the site process to match and schedule an initial appointment and then discuss goals and the best pace for therapy during the first visits.
She commonly helps with stress, anxiety, depression, grief, and problems that come with major life changes. She also supports people dealing with relationship strain, parenting challenges, sleeping problems, chronic illness, caregiver stress, and compassion fatigue. She listens for what matters most and works with each person to set clear, realistic goals.
Her approach draws on tools from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, client-centered work, and mindfulness exercises. In sessions she uses those methods to build coping skills, notice unhelpful thinking patterns, and practice new behaviors. She keeps explanations simple and gives concrete techniques to use between visits.
She has experience in both public and private mental health settings and applies that background to support practical problem solving. Scheduling is flexible with weekday and some Saturday options to fit different routines. People who want a steady, empathic clinician for life transitions, grief, or ongoing mood concerns may find her approach straightforward and helpful.
To begin, people follow the site process to match and schedule an initial appointment and then discuss goals and the best pace for therapy during the first visits.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Family conflictsTrauma and abuseGriefSleeping disordersParenting issuesAnger managementCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderCoachingCompassion fatigue
Additional focus areas
AbandonmentAging and geriatric issuesAntisocial personalityAttachment issuesAvoidant personalityBlended family issuesCancerCaregiver issues and stressChronic pain, illness, and disabilityCo-morbidityCodependencyCommitment issuesCommunication problemsControl issuesDependent personalityDisruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)Divorce and separationEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsForgivenessGuilt and shameHIV / AIDSHoardingHospice and end-of-life counselingImpulsivityInfidelityIntellectual disabilityIsolation / lonelinessJealousyLife purposeMidlife crisisMoney and financial issuesMood disordersNarcissismObsessions, compulsions, and OCDPanic disorder and panic attacksParanoiaPersonality disordersPhobiasPolyamory / non-monogamous relationshipsPost-traumatic stressPrejudice and discriminationSeasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-harmSelf-loveSocial anxiety and phobiaSomatizationWomen's issuesWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues
Therapeutic approaches
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Mindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingNarrative TherapyPsychodynamic TherapySolution-Focused TherapySomatic Therapy
Experience
32+ years
Credentials
Michigan
Languages
English
How her approaches work in online care
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, or ACT, helps people notice thoughts and feelings without getting stuck in them. It emphasizes identifying personal values and taking small actions that match those values. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, focuses on shifting unhelpful thinking patterns and trying practical behavior changes that reduce distress. Both approaches are useful for anxiety, depression, grief, and coping with life changes.Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will talk with each person about their goals, preferences, and daily routine, then suggest which methods to try. Together they track what helps and adjust the plan as needed so therapy stays relevant to real-life concerns.
Because the specific session formats are not listed in the provided biography, confirm current online options before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy week, shorten check-ins when needed, and use tools like guided mindfulness or homework exercises between visits. Many people find it helpful to continue therapy from wherever their schedule takes them while focusing on concrete coping skills and values-based action.
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns does Ilene help with?
She works with stress, anxiety, depression, grief, coping with life changes, relationship strain, parenting issues, sleep problems, chronic illness and caregiver stress, among other concerns.
How would you describe her therapy style?
Her style is relaxed, validating, and nonjudgmental. She focuses on practical skills and clear goals so people can use tools between sessions.
What is her professional background?
She has 32 years of clinical experience working in public and private mental health settings and brings that breadth of experience to each session.
What credentials and location information are provided?
She holds the LMSW credential and practices in Michigan.
Which languages are supported for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can people outside the United States work with her?
She does not accept international clients at this time.
How are fees and billing handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability, and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
What steps do I take to begin therapy?
Use the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule an appointment according to therapist availability.