Elana Clark-Faler
Elana Clark-Faler, LCSW, CSAT-S, CST, SEP is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCS 23340), Certified Sex Addiction Therapist and Supervisor (CSAT-S), and a Certified Multiple Addiction Therapist and Supervisor (CMAT-S), through the International Institute for Trauma and Addiction Professionals (IITAP) and Certified Sex Therapist (CST) through the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists. She is Certified in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). She is a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner (SEP), through Somatic Experiencing International (for the treatment of trauma). She has extensive training and experience working with a full range of addictive sexual behavior, sexual problems and trauma. She is trained in Emotion Focused Therapy by Dr. Sue Johnson. She is trained in Internal Family Systems. In addition, she is a Certified Group Psychotherapist (CGP) from the American Group Psychotherapy Association (AGPA).
Elana taught Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment and Substance Abuse Treatment at UCLA Graduate School of Public Affairs from 2013 – 2016. She is a member of the American Association of Couples and Sex Therapists (AACAST) where she received her training from Dr. Walter Brackelmann at the University of California Los Angeles.
Elana obtained her Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Chicago (2000). She trained in Dialectical-Behavioral Treatment, Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment, EMDR, Somatic Experiencing, Motivational Interviewing, Psychodynamic approaches and Group Therapy. She has worked in numerous agencies providing comprehensive treatment in both Chicago and Los Angeles, such as the Sexual Recovery Institute Founded by Rob Weiss, LCSW, CSAT-S. She has been trained by Patrick Carnes and Pia Mellody in the areas of sex addiction, love addiction and trauma.
Elana is a national speaker, educator, and consultant. She has spoken at the following companies and institutions: HBO, Sony, UCLA, Ogilvy, California State University, the Center for Healthy Sex, Goodwin Procter, Lawyers Assistance Program, Society for the Advancement of Sexual Health (SASH) Annual Conference, International Institute for Trauma and Addiction Professionals (IITAP) Annual Conference, Summit Recovery Conference at Loyola Marymount University, Loyola Marymount University, Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising, State of California Bar Association, Business Health Services and local community events. She has spoken on topics related to addiction, stress & anger management, sex/love addiction treatment, sexual harassment, women in recovery, group therapy and other related topics.
Her professional affiliations and memberships include the Society for the Advancement of Sexual Health (SASH), Somatic Experiencing International (SEI), Emotion Focused Therapy Center of Los Angeles (EFTCLA), EMDR International Association (EMDRIA), American Association of Sex Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (AASECT), American Association of Couples and Sex Therapists (AACAST), National Association of Social Workers (NASW), Women’s Association of Addiction Treatment (WAAT), American Group Psychotherapy Association (AGPA) and Group Psychotherapy Association of Los Angeles (GPALA) and International Institute for Trauma and Addiction (IITAP).
Hanna Barakat, ACSW
Registered Associate Clinical Social Worker, ACSW 103744
Supervised by Elana Clark-Faler, LCSW 23340
Hanna Barakat, ACSW, is an Associate Clinical Social Worker practicing under the supervision of Elana Clark-Faler, LCSW, CSAT, CST, SEP, CGP. Hanna received her master’s degree in social work, policy, and practice from the University of Chicago.
Hanna believes that the foundation for healing is in relationships. Her approach to therapy is relational and draws on various schools of thought, grounded in principles of harm reduction, liberation, seeking authenticity, and meeting her clients where they are on their journey. Furthermore, Hanna has trained in the principles of Interpersonal Neurobiology (IPNB), which centers the nervous system and one’s innate knowledge of self and the therapeutic relationship as one of the many spaces for healing. She has worked extensively with anxiety, depression, and trauma with clients of various neurotypes. Hanna fosters a safe space for individuals, couples, and dyads of diverse sexual orientations, gender identities, and expressions.
In her sessions, she draws her clients’ attention to their different dimensions of experience, often prompting them from their cognitive narrative to grounding in their bodies. She also encourages clients to explore and discuss the energetic aspects of their experience. She is also passionate about identity work, examining one’s intersectionality, building and cultivating community, and discussing the mobilization of privilege in the service of others. As a therapist, Hanna hopes to work with her clients on developing a more profound sense of self-awareness, compassion, and acceptance. Hanna’s therapeutic ethos fosters collaboration and empathy in creating a shared healing journey where each unique narrative is honored.