“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, milieu therapist, and integrative therapist. We refer to Ellen as the CooperRiis extraordinaire employee.
She earned her Master’s in Social Work at UNC-Chapel Hill (2010). She 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 was milieu therapist CooperRiis at Asheville Program, where she facilitated group therapy. She firmly believes that growth often comes through individual and relational processes.
Ellen’s favorite pastime is amateur flower gardening–deeply valuing all this hobby offers: movement, connection to nature, curiosity, presence, creativity, joy, metaphors for growth…and lots and lots of learning.
