Community Highlights: Meet Elaine of Healing Connection Therapy, Inc.

Today we’d like to introduce you to Elaine.

Hi Elaine, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I’m a second-generation Latina, and helping my community has always been close to my heart. My journey hasn’t been without challenges—I’m a breast cancer survivor, and that experience really shook me but also taught me so much about resilience, healing, and cherishing life in a deeper way.

I’m also a mom to two amazing boys who are truly my biggest teachers. They keep me busy, keep me laughing, and remind me every day of the power of play, joy, and unconditional love.

My path to becoming a therapist really started when I was just six years old, after my parents’ divorce. That was when I first knew I wanted to help children through tough times like trauma, family changes, and all the challenges life can bring. For more than eight years now, I’ve had the privilege of working with kids and families, and it’s been incredible to witness their strength and resilience.

My own personal experiences have shaped the way I show up in my work. I’ve gone through the heartbreak of miscarriage and the struggles of postpartum depression, and those experiences gave me a deeper empathy and understanding for what so many families go through.

At the core of everything I do is the belief that we all have the ability to heal and grow. My role is to walk alongside people in that process, offering support and compassion as they find their own strength.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
One of the biggest struggles I’ve faced was going through postpartum depression after the birth of my second child. It was such a difficult and painful season because it challenged the way I saw myself and even how I connected with my baby. I remember feeling like a horrible mother at the time, questioning if I was enough or if I was failing him. It’s something that’s not often talked about openly, but living through it gave me a whole new understanding of how isolating and overwhelming postpartum depression can be. Looking back, I can see how much strength it took to work through those feelings, and it’s made me even more passionate about supporting other women and families who are going through similar struggles.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Healing Connection Therapy, Inc.?
In my work, I focus on supporting parents, families, individuals, and especially children. I primarily work with kids between the ages of 4 and 12, helping them and their families navigate challenges related to the parent-child relationship, anxiety, trauma, and OCD. Most of the referrals I receive are for children, so that’s what I’ve become most known for in my practice—helping little ones and their families process difficult experiences and strengthen their bonds.

What I’m most proud of is having built my own practice from the ground up. It was honestly one of the scariest things I’ve ever done, but I took the leap, and now I’ve created a safe, supportive space where families can come to heal together. That feels incredibly meaningful to me.

One thing that sets me apart in this field is my work with OCD. It’s an area that not many clinicians specialize in, especially with children, and I’ve been able to provide a level of care that can be hard for families to find locally. Combining that specialization with my deep commitment to working with kids and families has really shaped the heart of my practice.

Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
Yes—something I’d love to share is how intentional I am when it comes to the care I provide. I’m constantly on the lookout for what will be most beneficial for my clients, and I’m very thoughtful about pursuing trainings that I know will truly support their needs. Continuing to grow as a clinician is so important to me because it allows me to show up fully for the families I work with.

And honestly, I can say that when I come to work, it doesn’t feel like work at all. I absolutely love what I do. Being able to walk alongside children and families in their healing journeys is such a privilege, and it brings me so much joy and fulfillment every single day.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.healingconnectiontherapy.net
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/healingconnectiontherapyoc
• Other: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/elaine-luna-brea-ca/1105140