“I truly value the recovery model and the CooperRiis holistic, hope-filled, strengths-based, individualized approach to supporting our residents and families on their healing journeys.”
Ellen has served in various roles and program locations at CooperRiis: garden volunteer, lodge advisor, house advisor, recovery coach, recovery coordinator director, and milieu therapist. We like to refer to her as a milieu therapist extraordinaire.
She earned her Master’s Degree in Social Work at UNC-Chapel Hill (2010) and received additional training in the Trauma Resiliency Model, EMDR Therapy (Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing), and IFS (Internal Family Systems)
Ellen’s most recent position served as Recovery Coordinator Director for the CooperRiis at Asheville Program and facilitated group therapy. She firmly believes that growth often comes through a combination of individual and relational processes.
Ellen’s favorite past-time is amateur flower gardening–deeply valuing all this hobby has to offer: movement, connection to nature, curiosity, presence, creativity, joy, metaphors for growth…and lots and lots of learning.
