Elena Zagarskas, Psy. D.
Dr. Zagarskas provides therapy and formal assessment for children and adults ages 5 and up. Areas of assessment include intellectual and learning abilities, memory, ADHD, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), major mood disorders, and personality functioning. She is experienced in treating mood disorders (depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder), grief/loss, trauma, eating disorders among adults, personality dysfunction, ADHD, and autism spectrum disorder.
Elena’s treatment approach is integrative with a foundation in existential psychology and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). She also frequently uses skills and approaches from dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), motivational interviewing (MI), and psychodynamic theory. A deep value for social justice underlies her focus in which individual differences are explored and appreciated. Elena also welcomes the use of creative arts in sessions for those interested.
Dr. Zagarskas earned her bachelor’s degree from Oberlin College in Ohio, her master’s degree from Gannon University in Erie, PA, and her doctoral degree in Counseling Psychology from Carlow University in Pittsburgh, PA. She has worked in a variety of mental health settings since 2007.
Personal Quote
"Challenges to maintaining wellness come at various ages and times in our lives. These challenges can become opportunities to discover more of our authentic selves, develop greater resilience, and create more balance. The process of this growth itself is unique and incredibly meaningful for each of us." - Elena Zagarskas, Psy. D.
Contact
Position:
Counseling Psychologist
Address:
8224 Mentor Ave, Suite 208
Mentor Ohio 44060
Email:
ezagarskas@behavioralwellnessgroup.com
Phone:
440-392-2222 EXT 409
Fax:
440-565-2349
Testimonials/Reviews
Testimonial Disclosure Statement: Testimonials herein are unsolicited, anonymous and are received after care has been received in an attempt to assure healthy therapy relationships and confidentiality.
"Dr. Zagarskas was amazing! Aftercare Program was much needed….Follow up with patients and the level of care you provide… giving patients practical skills to use to help with mental health issues."
Dr. Glovan, Health and Wellness IOP; Dr. Zagarskas, Individual Therapist; Katie Petrochic, Adult Aftercare Program) "I miss everyone in IOP! I believe you have given me so much opportunity to grow and learn! Thank You so much for all that you have done for me! Aftercare is going well after the first visit. My 1:1 sessions with Dr. Elena (Zagarskas) are also going really well! Setting my world up the way I want it to feedback to me is an ongoing effort! But yes, I am determined to continue to grow and learn with whatever life throws at me! I believe you have an amazing program/practice with an incredible team! Keep being true to you! I love what you are, what you stand for, and what you potentially do into the future! I promise I won’t be a stranger!"
"Hi Dr. G, I hope you are doing well! I do miss you and The Health and Wellness Intensive Outpatient Program! I continue to apply all of your teachings as I move through life! Dr. Elena Zagarskas has been a blessing to me as well. She definitely points out my blind spots, which I’m so grateful for. I’m also wishing and sending the rest of your amazing team my utmost respect...They all have touched my life in a way that is priceless."
Articles
Navigating our Mental Health through the Volatile Political Climate
Navigating our Mental Health through the Volatile Political ClimateAs many of us are waking up today and checking the news, whether it be on yourstreaming service, social media, or mainstream media, we are probably reactingstrongly to whatever it is that we are hearing or reading. There seems to be chaosbuilding in all sorts of different directions. How do we navigate it all without impactingour mental health, especially since we do not know what to take seriously and what isbeing exaggerated?…
Mental Health and Sleep Hygiene: Celebrating Sleep Awareness Week (March 10-16)
Mental health and sleep are deeply intertwined. Good quality sleep is essential not only for physical well-being but also for emotional and psychological health. As Sleep Awareness Week approaches from March 10-16, it’s a crucial time to recognize the importance of healthy sleep hygiene in managing mental health. The Link Between Sleep and Mental Health Sleep is not just a passive activity; it plays an active role in the way we process emotions, manage stress, and maintain cognitive function. Chronic…
AETNA INSURANCE SMART COMPARE PRACTICE OUTCOMES
Aetna’s recent Smart Comparison Outcomes Study has granted The Behavioral Wellness Group ____________________________________________________________________ Per Aetna Website: It’s a designation we give to doctors in our network who have proven time and again that they provide a higher standard of clinical quality, effective care or both. We look at multiple data points, including health information, claims data and results, to see how all our network doctors perform. Then, we assign this special designation to those exceeding expectations in: Aetna Smart Compare…
When Seasonal Changes Affect Your Moods
When Seasonal Changes Affect Your Moods Seasonal Affective Disorder How does one distinguish between winter blues and more serious conditions? Many feel sluggish or down during Fall and Winter months. The winter blues are pretty common. If this sadness is profound, it may be a sign of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). SAD is a form of depression which results from decreased light during the darker Fall and Winter months. With decreased sunlight, our internal biological clocks are thrown off, and…
Finding Light in the Dark: Using Gratitude and Hope to Manage Seasonal Stress
As the days grow shorter and colder, many people feel the weight of seasonal stress creeping in. The reduced sunlight during winter can lower our mood and energy levels, while the uncertainty of a new year may heighten feelings of anxiety. These challenges, while common, don’t have to dominate our experience. Two powerful tools—gratitude and hope—can help us navigate the stress of the season and create a sense of calm and resilience. How Seasonal Stress Affects UsSeasonal stress isn’t just…