Elisha Madsen, ASW, MT-BC
Medical Trauma Therapist in San Rafael, CA
ASW #136759, MT-BC #11213, supervised by Dina Hankin PSY #16387 and Ali Vogt LMFT #47693
She/Her
In-person sessions in San Rafael
telehealth throughout california
Medical experiences can leave you feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or disconnected. You deserve a space to let your guard down, process what you’ve been carrying, and feel understood. I specialize in medical trauma, with extensive experience supporting parents through the NICU and transition home.
Hi, I'm Elisha. As an Associate Clinical Social Worker and Board-Certified Music Therapist with 13+ years of experience, including extensive work as a NICU music therapist, I bring a unique perspective to medical trauma and its impact on your sense of safety and connection with your body. Using integrative and somatic approaches, I help you reconnect with yourself while offering practical support with healthcare navigation, self-advocacy, and accessing resources. I support adults navigating medical trauma, chronic illness, fertility challenges, pregnancy and postpartum concerns, grief, and major life transitions. For NICU parents, my expertise in premature infant development supports bonding and the transition home, with connections to trusted developmental specialists.
Examples of life circumstances:
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Anxiety and uncertainty following a medical diagnosis or hospitalization
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Feeling disconnected from your body after a traumatic medical experience
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Fear, overwhelm, or loss of control during a NICU stay
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Adjusting to life after NICU discharge
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Navigating fertility treatments or unexpected pregnancy journeys
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The emotional toll of chronic illness
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Pregnancy and postpartum anxiety or depression
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Grief, anticipatory loss, and end-of-life experiences
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Major life changes that leave you feeling overwhelmed or unsure of what comes next
I work with:
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Adults navigating medical trauma
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Parents of premature infants in the NICU
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Individuals and families impacted by chronic illness
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Individuals navigating fertility, pregnancy, and postpartum experiences
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Parents experiencing grief, loss, or end-of-life experiences
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Adults navigating major life transitions
I specialize in:
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Medical trauma and difficult healthcare experiences
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NICU experiences, premature infant development, and parent–baby bonding during and after NICU hospitalizations
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Chronic illness and complex medical experiences
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Fertility, pregnancy, and postpartum mental health
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Grief, loss, and end-of-life experiences
My background:
I’m an Associate Clinical Social Worker and Board-Certified Music Therapist with dual master’s degrees in Social Work and Music Therapy. I have over 13 years of clinical experience in medical, behavioral health, and private practice settings, including five years specializing in NICU care.
I specialize in medical trauma and support adults navigating life-threatening diagnoses, complex chronic illness, fertility, pregnancy and postpartum concerns, grief, and major life transitions. My lived experience with complex chronic illness informs my understanding of the emotional toll of health challenges and navigating healthcare systems.
My approach is warm, genuine, and collaborative. I bring compassion, curiosity, and thoughtful directness to our work, helping you feel understood while exploring new perspectives and possibilities for change. When aligned with your goals, I integrate holistic tools like mindfulness, meditation, imagery, nature, and music.
As a social worker, I recognize that people’s struggles aren’t personal failures. Our circumstances and the systems around us matter, too. I’m committed to an integrative approach grounded in anti-oppressive, anti-racist, and decolonizing values.
In my free time, you can find me playing guitar, snuggling with dogs, birding, or hiking through the redwoods.
You don’t have to figure everything out before we begin. We’ll work together to find what feels supportive and meaningful to you. The first step is reaching out.
