Whale Being Therapy, Ellie Wilde, Ph.D.
you already belong.
reconnect with vibrant aliveness, purpose, wonder & joy in the dark.
These are dark times. You may be surviving by shutting down and pushing through. But you deserve more.
You deserve deep and nourishing connection. You deserve rest, wonder, freedom, delight, a sense of purpose, and certainty of your irrevocable belonging. You deserve to be celebrated for your gifts and held in your pain. If that's what you're seeking, I'm so glad you found me!
My passion is to help you stop playing life on hard mode -- and to relax into a deep belonging that brings you fully back to life.
Our work together is rooted in presence, consent, and trust, with your voice and choice at the center. We hold space for all parts of you and the full complexity of your experience. We weave play and creativity into sessions as desired to help you tap back into your senses, joy, and self-confidence.
Held well, you begin to feel it again: your belonging to the full, beautiful, astonishing dance of aliveness. Your capacity for loving presence with yourself increases, and with it your availability for deep connection with others. Relationships grow more fulfilling and supportive. You learn from pain and fear, along with creativity, wonder, and joy that naturally emerge and flow through you.
If you're like most of my clients, you may find renewed confidence as life regains color, meaning, purpose, and vitality. You may discover a magical sense of abundant potential they call "limitless!"
Sessions are relational, somatic, creative, transformative, and often playful. I have particular affinity for neurodivergents, queer and gender-expansive people, immigrants, creatives, leaders, healers, and folks working for collective liberation.
Reach through the portal below to begin!
relationships & COUPLEs
Relationships have always been my passion, from writing the Gottman Institute's blog at the beginning of my training, and shaping every step of my career since.
For decades, I have immersed myself in both the art and science of helping relationships thrive -- from publishing relationship research during my PhD to pursuing extensive advanced training beyond the classroom.
Today, I integrate elements of Gottman Method, Sue Johnson's Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT), somatic approaches, and Psychodrama to create a deeply transformative experience for each partnership.
I am rarely my clients' first couples therapist. But many tell me that my creative, direct approach is the first to help them make a meaningful difference: break old patterns, rediscover intimacy, and deepen into love.
I am also an experienced guide through the discernment process, helping partners explore whether the relationship is still mutually supportive, decide whether to deepen commitment, or navigate the transition of separation with care and clarity.
rediscovering aliveness & creativity? cool, BUT HOW?
Great question. We don't just talk about problems—we work with them in real time. I draw on nature-based somatics, InterPlay, Psychodrama, IFS-adjacent parts work, expressive arts, and more, tailoring each session to your unique needs.
Together we release stress, build your internal and external resources, integrate mind and body, and reconnect with your innate vitality and energy. We welcome each part of your experience—from grief and shame to curiosity, joy, and wonder. Held well, you become increasingly adept at meeting life's challenges and confidently supporting others.
You discover new ways of moving, feeling, relating, and responding. As your inner world becomes more integrated, self-trust and alignment grow, the inner critic quiets, and new possibilities emerge. Each session includes practical somatic tools you can use anytime, anywhere. Regular check-ins ensure our work continues to support you and what matters to you most.
Even in such dark times, imagination, playfulness, and aliveness are always available to those who know how to look.
