Therapist profile
Ilene Vallance, LMSW
Licensed Master Social Worker - Family and parenting topics
Continue with IleneAbout
- CBT techniques
- DBT skills
- Mindfulness practice
About Ilene
Ilene Vallance is a Licensed Master Social Worker, LMSW, licensed in Michigan with over 32 years of experience in mental health care. She focuses on common concerns adults bring from home life - stress, anxiety, depression, relationship strain, parenting difficulties, grief, sleep problems, and coping with life changes.
Vallance draws on a range of practical approaches including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Client-Centered Therapy, and Mindfulness Therapy. She keeps sessions straightforward and conversational. She listens, reflects back what she hears, and works with each person on concrete skills and next steps.
Her background includes long experience in both public and private mental health settings. That experience informs her work with people facing trauma, caregiving stress, chronic illness, bereavement, and complex mood concerns such as bipolar disorder. She also addresses issues like codependency, attachment and abandonment concerns, and communication problems.
In sessions she emphasizes practical coping tools - emotion regulation skills from DBT, thought tracking and behavior experiments from CBT, and present-moment noticing from mindfulness practice. She matches techniques to what a person needs that week, whether that is short-term coaching or more sustained psychotherapy.
She offers a relaxed, nonjudgmental style and flexible weekday scheduling, with some Saturday options. Prospective clients in Michigan should confirm current session options and scheduling steps before booking.
How sessions work
How her approaches translate to online sessions
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) focuses on noticing thoughts and values-driven action. It helps people figure out what matters to them and take steps toward that life despite difficult feelings.Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at the link between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. It involves simple exercises such as tracking thoughts and trying small behavior experiments to test beliefs and reduce anxiety or low mood.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) emphasizes emotion regulation and communication skills. Those tools can help when anger, intense emotions, or relationship conflict make day-to-day life harder.
Choosing the right approach is part of the work together. The therapist will talk with each person about their goals and preferences, then suggest which methods to try first. That plan can shift as needs change.
Confirm the specific session formats offered before booking, since this profile does not list them. Online sessions can make it easier to fit meetings into a busy week, reduce travel time, and allow a shorter check-in when that suits your schedule. Ask about scheduling options and whether weekday or occasional Saturday times match your routine.
Areas of focus
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
32+ years
Listed in
Michigan
Languages
English
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of family or parenting concerns does she address?
She helps adults manage parenting stress, blended family issues, and communication problems that affect home life.
How would she describe her therapy style?
Her style is relaxed, nonjudgmental, and validating, with a focus on practical skills and clear next steps.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has more than 32 years of experience working in public and private mental health settings.
What are her credentials and where is she based?
She holds the LMSW credential and practices in the state of Michigan.
Does she work with people who speak other languages or live abroad?
Sessions are offered in English and she is not accepting international clients.
What session formats are offered?
Confirm current session options before booking to know which formats she is offering at this time.
How are fees handled?
Cost varies by location; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
What are the first steps to begin working together?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. A license can be checked with the state board.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If anyone is in danger, use the crisis numbers.