Meet Elena Belaya (she/her)

Elena Belaya is a Counselor-in-Training currently completing her practicum as part of her graduate studies in Counseling. She holds an undergraduate degree in Psychology from the University of Michigan and is pursuing her master’s degree at Central Michigan University.

Elena approaches counseling from a trauma-informed, humanistic, and systems-oriented perspective. She believes that meaningful change begins with mindset—but that mindset does not develop in isolation. In her view, healing and growth are best supported through intentional relationships, community, and an awareness of the broader systems that shape a person’s lived experience.

At the core of Elena’s work is the belief that clients already possess the internal resources needed to move toward the life and state of being they desire. Her role as a counselor is to create a safe, collaborative space for exploration, serving as a steady co-pilot as clients reconnect with themselves, develop self-understanding, and cultivate self-compassion. She is comfortable engaging with uncertainty, ambiguity, and existential questions, and welcomes conversations that explore meaning, identity, and purpose.

Elena is particularly interested in working with individuals navigating life after trauma, including those experiencing PTSD, complex PTSD, depression, and anxiety. She feels comfortable supporting neurodivergent individuals and is committed to affirming and inclusive care for LGBTQ+ clients. As a Ukrainian immigrant, Elena has a strong interest in working with refugee and immigrant populations and brings cultural sensitivity and lived understanding to this work.

Elena speaks English and Russian fluently and is comfortable working with individuals who speak Ukrainian. She is passionate about creating counseling spaces that honor cultural context, resilience, and the complexity of human experience.

Working with Elena

Elena offers individual and group therapy for those 16 years and older. While she does not currently provide assessments and counseling for younger children, she is open to working with a wide range of concerns and life experiences.

As a counseling intern, Elena is able to offer free or low-cost sessions with a cash pay rate of $0–$50 per session, making mental health care more accessible. Services are offered in English and Russian.

She practices under the supervision of Rebecca Gomez de Tuinstra, Ph.D., LP.