About Elani

It was a midlife moment along my own personal journey that brought me to the field of psychotherapy, and then to Internal Family Systems (IFS) and Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP). I realized my purpose and my passion was to be of service to those who, like myself, were seeking transformation of old patterns, and reclaiming inner wisdom, confidence, and connection to spirit, Self and others. I bring insight, commitment, and open-heartedness to my work drawn from a lifetime of spiritual and mindfulness practice as well as advanced training as a psychotherapist.

I look forward to accompanying you on your healing journey, offering hope and validation, warm support and reassurance. I will believe in you until you can believe in yourself - your wisdom, your capacity for healing, your inner strengths. Whatever brings you to therapy - your relationships, stress, trauma, pain, fears, hurts - I provide a safe, confidential and compassionate environment in which to explore the path to wellness and feeling whole again. Discover your own inner strengths and ability to transcend challenges!

Years of experience in fine and performing arts enable me to engage effortlessly with the creative experiences and challenges of others, whether in the field of hi-tech, academia, the arts, or in simply seeking to create a more bountiful, fulfilling and rich life. It is my joy to practice what for me is yet another art form: the art of psychotherapy, with all the nuances, delicacy, attunement and tough love that results in a masterpiece.

As a Certified Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapist and Certified Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapist I provide non-judgmental guidance and reflection as we move toward achieving new levels of emotional wellness, harmony, and fulfillment in your relationships with Self and others. Internal Family Systems “is capable of helping you not only turn down the noise in your mind but also create an inner atmosphere of light and peace, bringing more confidence, clarity and creativity to your relationships”. (Richard Schwartz, PhD, founder of IFS). This same experience of Self can be similarly felt, as well as enhanced, when Ketamine Assisted Therapy is used in partnership with IFS.

Let us begin!

Send a confidential email to Elani Aquino, LCSW.

Credentials

• Licensed Clinical Social Worker: LCS 20450
• Certified Internal Family Systems Therapist, Level 3
• Certified Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapist (KAP)

Education

Masters Degree in Social Work
College of Social Work, San Jose State University

Bachelor's Degree, Art and Psychology
Mills College, Oakland, CA

Certificate, Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy
Fluence International, Inc., Woodstock, NY

Advanced Certificate in Alcohol and Drug Studies
UC Santa Cruz Extension, Santa Cruz, CA

Certificate in Spanish Studies
University of Madrid, Spain

IFS Training and Workshops

Level 1 Internal Family Systems
Level 2 Deepening and Expanding with IFS
Level 3 Specialized Advanced Retreat

• How IFS Understands and Works with Shame
• Intimacy From the Inside Out
• Shame and Worthlessness: The Drivers of our Extreme Parts
• IFS, A Revolutionary & Transformative Treatment for Healing PTSD, Anxiety, & Depression
• Internal Family Systems: Couples Counseling
• A Compassionate Approach to Addictive Processes with Internal Family Systems

Professional Organizations

Bay Area Psychological Association (BAPA)
California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists