Mental Health Support

Elena Shahen, MS, LPC, NCC, takes great pride in offering essential mental health support to the Pittsburgh community. As a dedicated facilitator in the journey of human healing, Elena‘s assimilative approach to counseling integrates person-centered therapy, CBT, DBT, and IFS for a holistic, individualized treatment and meaningful therapeutic outcomes. With a comprehensive background in addressing various mental health diagnoses, including Anxiety, Depression, Addictions, Stress-Related disorders, phase of life transitions, and co-occurring disorders, Elena is equipped to provide impactful assistance.

Elena eagerly looks forward to collaborating with you, whether it’s through individual sessions or engaging in Couple’s or Family Therapy if that resonates with you. In the face of life’s constant challenges and changes, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Elena’s goal is to serve as a steadfast companion, helping you navigate life’s currents and providing the tools, knowledge, and comfort you need for a fulfilling journey.

Education and Experience

Elena has been working with CWC for the past three years and is also a doctoral candidate in Duquesne University’s Counselor Education and Supervision PhD program. She obtained her Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Duquesne University in 2023 and graduated from Point Park University in 2018 with her Bachelor’s in Mass Communications. Throughout the last few years, Elena’s clinical experience has focused on providing trauma-informed, evidence-based care to a diverse clientele, including children, adults, couples, families, and groups. She is experienced in conducting intake evaluations, providing ongoing psychotherapy, performing crisis and risk assessments, and collaborating with colleagues to ensure quality care and appropriate referrals to the appropriate levels of care. In her previous experiences, she has found a passion in community outreach, consulting with colleagues, and supervising and supporting graduate students’ professional identity development.

Hobbies and Interests

Elena loves the outdoors—she enjoys hiking, camping, and spending time in green spaces, as well as time with her adorable poodle, Violet. She is also very musical. When she’s not listening to music, she is singing, playing the guitar, and writing songs of adoration for her puppy. One of her favorite life experiences was taking time to solo travel the states and see the unique landscapes within the country. Visiting Yosemite, the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, and other national parks was a transformative experience for her. She has worked many different jobs in the service industry and has found making connections and hearing people’s stories to be the best part of her day.