Sleep again, without relying on medication
CBT for Insomnia from a VA-certified specialist, by telehealth in RI & MA.
Clinical Social Worker with expertise in treatment of insomnia, diverse mental health challenges, and emotional struggles. Based in Providence, Rhode Island. Serving clients in RI and Massachusetts.
Therapy Services Offered
Providing compassionate care for adults in Rhode Island & Massachusetts facing personal challenges while helping to foster growth and recovery.
Sleep and Insomnia Treatment
Insomnia and sleep difficulties can have devastating effects on your mood, energy level, focus, and overall health. Quality sleep therapy can transform your life by reducing anxiety, improving cognitive function, strengthening your immune system, and enhancing emotional regulation. CBT for Insomnia specifically offers long-lasting results without medication side effects, addressing the root causes rather than just symptoms. Elise is highly trained and has unique expertise in sleep and insomnia treatment, rooted in research but customized to your individual needs to maximize improvement in your quality of life. Her approach combines evidence-based techniques with personalized care to help you rediscover the restorative power of restful sleep.
Individual therapy services provide personalized support for clients navigating a wide range of challenges, including stress management, life transitions, work-related pressures, depression, anxiety, and other conditions. I believe that effective therapy begins with understanding your unique circumstances and goals. Together, we'll develop a tailored treatment plan that addresses your specific needs, drawing from evidence-based approaches including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), mindfulness practices, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Interpersonal Therapy (IPT). This integrative approach allows us to combine techniques that best support your healing journey, building practical skills to help you move toward greater resilience, self-awareness, and fulfillment in your daily life.
Individual Therapy
About Elise
Elise McDonald is an experienced and skilled Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) with over 14 years of experience working with adults living with insomnia, post-traumatic stress disorder, generalized anxiety, panic disorder, and depression. Elise received her Master’s Degree in Clinical Social Work from Boston University in 2012, with a specialization in working with trauma. She has worked for the Providence VA Healthcare System since 2011 providing personalized, individualized and evidenced-based treatment for Veterans living with PTSD, helping them to navigate their healing journeys and enrich their lives.
Elise’s approach is collaborative, compassionate and grounded in research. She is trained in a variety of therapeutic modalities, including but not limited to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT), and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR). By tailoring therapy to meet the unique needs of each client, she strives to create a safe and supportive environment where growth and healing can occur.
Whether you’re seeking relief from past trauma, struggling with insomnia, coping with anxiety or depression, or working through the challenges of daily life, Elise is here to help you move forward with resilience and confidence.
Elise is licensed to practice in Rhode Island and Massachusetts.
Approaches
Areas of Expertise
Insomnia & Sleep Disorders
Stress Managment
Depression
Life Transitions
Grief & Loss
Women's Mental Health
Trauma & PTSD
Veterans' Issues
Anxiety
Work-Related Stress
Adjustment Difficulties
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
Interpersonal Psychotherapy
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction
Cognitive Processing Therapy
Boston University School of Social Work, 2012, MSW
Fordham University, 2007, BA
Licensing
Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW)
MA LICSW118661 Active
RI ISW043365 Active
Professional Affiliations and Certifications
American Board of Clinical Social Work, Board Certified Diplomate (BCD)
Member of The Society of Behavioral Sleep Medicine
Clinical Trainings Programs
Cognitive Processing Therapy for PTSD, Certified VA CPT Provider
Acceptance and Commitment for Depression; Certified VA ACT-D Provider
Motivational Interviewing; Certified VA MI/MET provider
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia; Certified VA CBT-I Provider
VA CALM (Mindfulness Training Program); Certified VA CALM Facilitator
Maps/Lykos MDMAT-Assisted Therapy Training Program; Trained in MDMA-AT
Interpersonal Psychotherapy for Depression, Certified IPT-D Provider
Education and Training
Contact Elise
To learn more about my services, make a referral or schedule a free, 15 minute consultation call, please reach out to me via e-mail or phone.
Elise McDonald, LICSW, BCD
Cultivate Resilience. Restore Balance. Embrace Growth. Licensed in RI & MA. Video Telehealth Therapy.
CONTACT
401.424.1551
© 2025. Elise McDonald, LICSW, LLC. All rights reserved.