Biographical Info
Im Dr. Yelena "Elaine" Blank, a clinical psychologist in the San Francisco Bay Area, with offices in Palo Alto and Mountain View. I use evidence-based practices combined with a warm, non-judgmental, and collaborative approach to help you with sleep difficulties, trauma and PTSD, depression, and anxiety.I am committed to inclusive practice. I welcome clients of all identities, especially those who may feel less welcome or accepted in other settings. I am LGBTQ+ affirming, sex-positive, and knowledgeable in non-traditional relationship structures. I do not assume that any part of your intersecting identities is the cause of your current difficulties; nor do I ignore the potential influences of discrimination and oppression on your mental health. My pronouns are she/her.I speak geek. I am a self-identified geek/nerd and I understand how fandom can be a force in our lives, often for the good. I adore reading sci-fi/fantasy, building complicated Lego sets, and cosplaying as obscure characters.I believe in science. I utilize practices and techniques that have been shown by scientific research to help with your specific symptoms and concerns. In areas where the science is still developing, I extrapolate from the available knowledge to bring you the best possible treatment options.I primarily use CBT and mindfulness in my work, along with elements of ACT. My approach is warm, goal-directed, and collaborative. I come from a strength-based perspective and work with you to identify skills you already have and ways to build on those strengths.
