About
Dr. Elham Sajed-Connor
Dr. Elham Sajed-Connor, known as “Dr Elle” in the media, is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist who specializes in providing psychotherapy and counseling services to individuals, couples, families, and groups. In addition to her extensive clinical experience in treating substance use disorders, feeding & eating disorders, trauma-related stress, relationship issues, and adjustment difficulties, Dr. Elle, also provides educational trainings for therapists and speaking engagements about substance use, grief, loss and bereavement, eating disorders, acculturation issues, as well as effective emotional health management in the workplace. Dr. Elle is a Clinical Supervisor who trains future therapists and doctoral students. Dr. Elle is also a long standing member with the American Psychological Association. Dr. Elle is currently researching the impact of psychosocial stressors and emotional difficulties that Immigrant families face as ethnic minorities and the impact of immigration related experiences on their interpersonal relationships.
Dr. Elle graduated Summa Cum Laude from UCSD, University of California San Diego and received her Doctorate in Psychology from John F. Kennedy University.
Approach
Dr. Elle’s clinical approach to therapy places an emphasis upon the exploration, awareness and understanding of one’s inner life, as well as the meaningful connections with others and the world around us. Giving attention to how thoughts, emotions, and behaviors interact and influence relationships is a critical piece of her therapy work with clients. Therapeutically, the focus that Dr. Elle establishes with clients is based on building a collaborative relationship that facilitates the development of a clearer sense of self and identity for the client, enhancing his or her capacity to grow in a more genuine and meaningful relationship with oneself and others. The therapeutic approach that Dr. Elle utilizes also places significant importance on the therapeutic relationship itself, with the belief that it is through our relational experiences with others that we discover opportunities for understanding, insight, growth and change.
Dr. Elle’s vision for her work as a psychologist is to provide a relational space of experience for clients that encourages a deepening of self-awareness, understanding, and possibility. In her experience as a clinician, Dr. Elle, has witnessed the capacity of emotional healing that is possible through a therapeutic relationship that is based on trust, empathic care, authentic respect, and genuineness. In light of this, Dr. Elle, believes that the emotional and relational connection experienced between the therapist and the client embodies the most significant restorative potential in psychotherapy, which is then capable of being extended to an individual's relationships within their personal and professional lives.
Personal Life
Dr. Elle has been living in California since 2000. Dr. Elle enjoyed traveling to many different countries including South Africa, Germany, Austria, Italy, Spain, Canada, Mexico, and the Netherlands. Throughout her life, Dr. Elle has experienced the significant deaths of family members and friends, which have influenced her interest in working with chronic and terminally ill patients, as well as focusing on the challenges of overcoming grief, bereavement, and traumatic loss. Dr. Elle has invested several years of personal and professional engagement, as well as volunteer support, in working with the Immigrant community. As such, she believes in the critical importance of providing support for those that experience various forms of social disenfranchisement and discrimination.
In her personal time, Dr. Elle enjoys traveling, long-distance hiking, reading, watching movies and theatre and musical productions, while also spending time with family and friends. She currently lives with her husband and their son in San Diego California.
