Ilene Vallance, LMSW
Experienced LMSW guiding practical change
Details
| Name | Ilene Vallance |
|---|---|
| Credentials | LMSW |
| Based in | Michigan |
| Licensed in | Michigan |
| Session format | Online |
| Languages | English |
| Years in practice | 32 |
About Ilene
Ilene Vallance is a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) based in Michigan with 32 years of experience in mental health. She brings long-term clinical experience from public and personal settings to help people navigate stress, anxiety, depression, grief, and relationship concerns. Ilene aims to offer a calm, nonjudgmental space where people can talk about what matters most to them.
Her approach is conversational and practical. She listens first, then works with each person to set straightforward goals.
Background and approach
Sessions focus on skills that can be used between meetings, such as managing strong emotions, improving communication, and building coping strategies for life changes. Ilene draws on Narrative Therapy to help people reframe their stories and find new meanings.
She also uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to teach ways of living with difficult thoughts and feelings, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to address unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns. These methods are adapted to each person’s concerns and pace. People typically encounter a relaxed, validating presence in sessions.
Ilene emphasizes collaboration and practical steps over labels. She also offers flexible scheduling to fit work and family demands. Her work covers many areas including parenting stress, compassion fatigue, chronic illness impacts, career struggles, attachment issues, and trauma-related concerns.
She welcomes conversations about specific goals and will help outline a plan that feels manageable and clear.
What this therapist works with
Her listing names Stress, Anxiety, Relationship issues, Self esteem among the things Ilene works with, alongside the areas below.
- Stress, Anxiety
- Relationship issues
- Self esteem
- Depression
- Coping with life changes
- Family conflicts
- Trauma and abuse
- Grief
- Sleeping disorders
- Parenting issues
- Anger management
- Career difficulties
- Bipolar disorder
- Coaching
- Compassion fatigue
- Abandonment
- Aging and geriatric issues
- Antisocial personality
- Attachment issues
- Avoidant personality
- Blended family issues
- Cancer
- Caregiver issues and stress
- Chronic pain, illness, and disability
- Co-morbidity
- Codependency
- Commitment issues
- Communication problems
- Control issues
- Dependent personality
- Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)
- Divorce and separation
- Emptiness
- Family of origin issues
- Family problems
- Forgiveness
- Guilt and shame
- HIV / AIDS
- Hoarding
- Hospice and end-of-life counseling
- Impulsivity
- Infidelity
- Intellectual disability
- Isolation / loneliness
- Jealousy
- Life purpose
- Midlife crisis
- Money and financial issues
- Mood disorders
- Narcissism
- Obsessions, compulsions, and OCD
- Panic disorder and panic attacks
- Paranoia
- Personality disorders
- Phobias
- Polyamory / non-monogamous relationships
- Post-traumatic stress
- Prejudice and discrimination
- Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
- Self-harm
- Self-love
- Social anxiety and phobia
- Somatization
- Women's issues
- Workplace issues
- Young adult issues
Approaches listed
- Narrative Therapy: Named in her listing among her approaches.
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): Listed by Ilene among the ways she works.
- Client-Centered Therapy: Listed by Ilene among the ways she works.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Listed by Ilene among the ways she works.
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): Listed by Ilene among the ways she works.
- Mindfulness Therapy: Listed by Ilene among the ways she works.
- Motivational Interviewing: Listed by Ilene among the ways she works.
- Psychodynamic Therapy: Listed by Ilene among the ways she works.
- Solution-Focused Therapy: Listed by Ilene among the ways she works.
- Somatic Therapy: Listed by Ilene among the ways she works.
- Training stated: This directory copies the approaches a therapist names and does not check training records. Ask Ilene directly how much of the work is narrative and what a session usually looks like.
Narrative Therapy in this listing
Narrative Therapy appears in this therapist's own list of approaches. That tells you it is part of how she works. It does not tell you how much of a session it shapes, and this directory does not check or rate training.
If a narrative approach is what you are looking for, it is worth asking Ilene directly how she uses it and what a session usually looks like.
Online session options
Approaches that shape online sessions
Ilene often uses Narrative Therapy to help people separate themselves from difficult stories and rediscover strengths. This approach looks at problems as things that happen to someone rather than who they are, which can be useful for identity, grief, and relationship issues.She also uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, which teaches how to accept uncomfortable thoughts and still move toward meaningful goals. ACT can help with anxiety, mood shifts, and coping with life changes. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is another tool she draws on to spot and change thinking patterns that lead to distress, which can help with sleep, anger, or low mood.
Choosing the right method is part of the work. Ilene will talk with each person about goals, try approaches that fit, and adjust as progress is made. That collaborative process helps make the plan feel personal and realistic.
Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. Video allows face-to-face conversation and teaching of skills. Phone works well when bandwidth is limited or when a quick check-in fits a busy day. Chat and messaging can provide brief, focused support between sessions or for people who prefer writing. These options make therapy easier to fit into daily life and support steady work on goals.
Common questions about this listing
What kinds of concerns does Ilene address?
She helps people with stress, anxiety, depression, relationship problems, grief, trauma and abuse, sleep troubles, parenting strain, anger, career issues, and compassion fatigue.
How would you describe her therapy style?
Sessions are relaxed and validating. She listens first, then works collaboratively on practical skills and clearer thinking.
What is her clinical background?
Ilene has 32 years of experience providing mental health services in both public and personal settings.
What credentials and region are listed?
She holds an LMSW credential and practices from Michigan.
Are sessions offered in other languages or internationally?
Sessions are offered in English and international clients are not accepted.
Which session formats are available?
She offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging as options for talking.
How does cost work for sessions?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
What are the steps to begin therapy?
Use the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a session according to the therapist's availability.
Contacting this therapist
Sessions with Ilene are arranged through our partner platform. It asks a few questions about what you are looking for, then shows you the therapists available to you, including Ilene where she has space. Ask about fees, and whether she holds a licence or registration where you live.
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