Elisa Sarmento
Hello, Hola! I am Elisa Sarmento, MA, LADC, LMHC, LPCC, based out of Bloomington, MN, fully licensed and working through telehealth in both Minnesota and Florida, practicing for over 15 years.
I provide both bilingual (Spanish/English) psychotherapy, life coaching services and am particularly passionate about working with the specific challenges faced by individuals (teens and adults) living in fear and addiction.
I provide both bilingual (Spanish/English) psychotherapy, life coaching services and am particularly passionate about working with the specific challenges faced by individuals (teens and adults) living in fear and addiction.
First session
I will be your personal GPS; you are the driver, and I will be just your guide through this journey. In our first session together, we'll start with brief introductions, then dive into the specific challenges you're facing. This will help me create a tailored plan for us to work through in follow-up sessions.
Strengths
Having worked with young professionals for the past 15 years, I've developed a tried-and-true playbook for helping you (a) identify the root cause of your challenges and (b) create a tailored plan that leads to measurable progress. My therapeutic approach is warm, direct, and very real. I believe therapy should be a place where you feel deeply supported but also challenged enough to grow. I’m not a therapist who simply asks, “How does that make you feel?” and sends you home. I want us to understand why you feel that way, where the pattern comes from, and most importantly—what we can do about it. I often tell my clients, **“I’m like your GPS in therapy.”** You are always in the driver’s seat. My job is to help you recognize where you are, understand how you got there, notice when you keep taking the same road, and discover healthier ways to move forward. I combine compassion with accountability and practical tools. Depending on what you need, we may work on communication, boundaries, emotional regulation, trust, coping skills, or changing patterns that are no longer serving you. You can expect honesty, humor, encouragement, and sometimes conversations that challenge you. I don’t expect perfection, and I don’t judge your story. My goal isn’t to change who you are. It’s to help you understand yourself well enough to make changes that actually matter to you.
Ideal clients
I provide both bilingual (Spanish/English) psychotherapy, life coaching services and am particularly passionate about working with the specific challenges faced by individuals living in fear and addiction. My goal as a therapist specializing in mental health and substance abuse is to create a supportive environment in which my clients, adolescents, couples and adults, can explore their emotional needs, learn daily coping skills and overcome barriers that limit their full potential. I take an open-minded approach to client wellness and consider the client's work life, family traditions, cultural and spiritual beliefs, and sexual identity.
Origin story
I was drawn to this profession because I have always had a genuine desire to understand people—not just what they are going through, but what is happening beneath the surface. Life can be difficult. Relationships can become disconnected, trust can be broken, anxiety can make you question yourself, and addiction or trauma can affect not only one person but an entire family. Sometimes people appear completely fine on the outside while privately feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, or lost. I became a therapist because I wanted to create a safe place where people could talk about the things they may be afraid to say out loud and feel heard without judgment. What I love most about this profession is watching people recognize their own strength. I have seen individuals rebuild their lives, couples reconnect after feeling hopeless, and people who once felt stuck begin to believe in themselves again. My approach is compassionate, but I am also direct. I don't believe therapy should simply be about listening—I believe it should help you understand yourself, recognize unhealthy patterns, develop practical skills, and create meaningful change. I often tell my clients, **“I’m like your GPS in therapy.”** You are still driving and making your own decisions, but I am beside you helping you understand where you are, where you want to go, and how you might get there. For me, being a therapist is more than a profession. It is an opportunity to remind people that even during some of life's most difficult moments, there can still be a path forward.
Treatment methods
Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Suicide Prevention (CBT-SP)
Cognitive Therapy for Suicide Prevention (CT-SP) is an evidence-based, manualized cognitive-behavioral treatment for adults with suicidal ideation and behaviors. One of the most effective therapeutic methods I've used throughout my clinical work in the mental health field.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
CBT is a type of psychotherapy in which negative patterns of thought about the self and the world are challenged in order to alter unwanted behavior patterns or treat mood disorders such as depression. One of the most effective therapeutic methods I've used throughout my clinical work in the mental health field.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is a structured program of psychotherapy with a strong educational component designed to provide skills for managing intense emotions and negotiating social relationships. Originally developed to curb the self-destructive impulses of chronic suicidal patients, it is also the treatment of choice for borderline personality disorder, emotion dysregulation, and a growing array of psychiatric conditions. It consists of group instruction and individual therapy sessions, both conducted weekly for six months to a year. One of the most effective therapeutic methods I've used throughout my clinical work in the mental health field.
Couples Counseling
Couples counseling, also known as marriage counseling, is a type of counseling for intimate partners. It addresses conflicts between the partners, is often short-term, and focuses on specific problems.1 Other goals of couples counseling is improving communication and interactions and strengthening relationships.
Motivational Interviewing
Motivational interviewing is a counseling approach designed to help people find the motivation to make a positive behavior change. This client-centered approach is particularly effective for people who have mixed feelings about changing their behavior.
Location
Virtual sessions