Elle Biesemeyer

About Elle

Hello, I’m Elle (she/her). I am a student therapist at Bridges Therapy currently working towards my master’s of social work. I come to clinical work by way of lived experience as a queer autistic fat woman, my background in sexual and domestic violence advocacy and prevention, and prison abolitionist organizing. I am a fierce advocate for justice and I believe that to build a world we want to live in, we must practice both collective care and self-care. I enjoy supporting individuals who feel as if they live in a world not built for them, want to build a better world, struggle to live under systemic oppression, or are healing from abuse.

I hope to work with clients who resonate with me and my values and seek a collaborative relationship with their therapist. I also welcome clients who benefit from sharing similar life experiences or identities with me. I find it incredibly valuable for both clients and myself to connect on a human level while we develop our therapeutic relationship and I hope you feel the same. As a student actively learning and therapist committed to collaborative, feedback-informed practice, I invite the opportunity for client feedback.

Areas of Focus

Mental Health Conditions & Diagnoses: Anxiety, Depression, Trauma, Neurodivergence, Autism, Executive Functioning Challenges, Emotional Regulation Difficulties

Trauma, Abuse, & Safety: Sexual Abuse, Emotional Abuse, Physical Abuse

Life Transitions & Adjustments: Life Transitions, Adjustment Issues, Chronic Illness

Identity, Culture & Community: Identity Issues, Gender Identity, LGBTQ+ Issues

Relationships & Interpersonal Dynamics: Romantic Relationship Conflicts, Family Relationship Conflicts, Codependency, Intimacy Issues, Polyamorous and Open Relationships, Dating Challenges, Communication Skills, Boundaries, People-Pleasing

Personal Growth & Emotional Wellness: Self-Esteem, Personal Growth, Creativity, Stress, Motivation and Procrastination, Perfectionism

Substance Use & Addiction: Harm Reduction

My Approach

I base my clinical approach in the core principles of advocacy: self-determination, empowerment, and presence. I meet individuals exactly where they are and build a relationship of collaboration in which clients navigate while I nurture their vision and offer them the practical resources to accomplish their goals. I am a straightforward, solutions-oriented person, but my expertise only matters when it constructively supports you as a client and your lived experience.

I believe in self-determination for all individuals, and I also understand the limitations of self-determination while living under systemic oppression. I seek to build a therapy practice that is nuanced and reflexive regarding the structures which bind us while honoring individual capacity for transformation. Therapy can be a powerful tool to expand our relational capacity and get to know ourselves better so we can dedicate our love, energy, and skills to building the world we want to live in.

Outside of Work

Beyond my studies and clinical work, you can find me nerding out over my favorite media (Lord of the Rings, Avatar the Last Airbender, Legend of Zelda, World of Warcraft, Baldur’s Gate III), painting Littlest Pet Shops, collecting ephemera for my junk journal, cooking, reading, or snuggling with my bunny, Ganondorf.

Elle is a student intern providing therapy under clinical supervision (Adrienne Graf, LCSW & Joey Tomlinson, CSWA) as part of a graduate program.