Cori Ettelson, LPC

Better Headspace

Where your well-being blooms.

Trauma-informed therapy for adults in Pennsylvania & Delaware. In-person at my office in Montgomeryville, PA and virtual sessions throughout PA & DE.

Therapy meant to feel safe, steady, and real.

Connect with Cori See areas of focus

About Me

I’m Cori — a Licensed Professional Counselor based in Pennsylvania.

I hold two master’s degrees from Arcadia University — one in Counseling Psychology and one in Education — and I’m a member of Psi Chi, the International Honor Society in Psychology. My clinical training includes EMDR, Internal Family Systems (IFS), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), and somatic modalities.

My work is trauma-informed and attachment-focused. I’m especially drawn to working with adults healing from abusive and unhealthy relationships — it’s a population I’ve come to consider a specialty, and one I’ll always make space for. I also work with people navigating the lasting impact of early experiences and the patterns that quietly shape adult life — how we love, how we cope, and how we show up in our closest relationships.

Life is hard, and we need each other. I believe people heal through the helping relationship — that real change happens when we feel genuinely seen, understood, and not alone in what we’re carrying.

With over 15 years of experience, Better Headspace is growing into a trauma-informed group practice built around shared values and a commitment to meaningful, high-quality care.

What therapy with me is like

You don’t have to perform here. You just get to show up as you are.

Therapy with me isn’t about following a script — it’s about understanding you. I’ll validate your experience and gently challenge you when it’s helpful. I draw from different approaches based on what fits you, rather than the other way around. Together, we build insight, develop tools that feel usable in real life, and work toward a deeper understanding of yourself.

Clients often share that they feel both deeply understood and genuinely supported in making real change. If you’re looking for more than just coping — and want to create meaningful, lasting change — I’d be honored to support you.

Therapy works best when it feels like a real connection, not a clinical script — there’s room for honesty, collaboration, and even a little humor along the way.

If this feels like a good fit, you’re welcome to reach out or schedule a time to connect.

“When we are no longer able to change the situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.”
Viktor Frankl

Services

Areas of Focus

I work with adults across a range of experiences, with trauma at the center of my work — especially the ways it shapes relationships, patterns, and how we move through the world. You don’t have to have it all figured out to start.

Trauma

Trauma can come from a single event or build slowly over time. It might show up as flashbacks, anxiety, or hypervigilance — or as something harder to name, like feeling disconnected from yourself or sensing that something is “off.” My work draws from EMDR, IFS, EFT, somatic approaches, and attachment-focused therapy to help you process what happened and move forward in a way that feels more grounded and lasting.

Healing After an Abusive or Unhealthy Relationship

Leaving an abusive or unhealthy relationship is rarely the end of the work — often, it’s the beginning. The aftermath can include self-doubt, grief, anxiety, hypervigilance, and a deep struggle to trust your own perceptions again. This is a specialty area for me, and one I approach with a lot of care. Together, we’ll work to make sense of what happened, rebuild your sense of self, and develop the clarity and self-trust to move forward.

Anxiety

Anxiety can show up as racing thoughts, physical tension, perfectionism, overthinking, or a constant sense that something is about to go wrong. We’ll work to understand what’s driving it — often it’s connected to deeper patterns or past experiences — and develop tools that help you feel more settled in your body and your day-to-day life.

Depression

Depression isn’t always sadness. Sometimes it’s numbness, exhaustion, loss of interest, or a quiet sense of hopelessness that’s hard to put into words. Therapy offers space to understand what’s underneath it and begin to reconnect with a life that feels meaningful again.

Life Transitions, Break-Ups, and Divorce

Major life changes — even good ones — can shake your sense of identity and direction. Whether you’re navigating the end of a relationship, a career shift, becoming a parent, or another transition, therapy can help you find your footing and move through change with more clarity.

Grief and Loss

Grief takes many forms and rarely follows a predictable timeline. I support clients grieving the loss of loved ones as well as less-recognized losses — the end of a relationship, a version of life you expected, or a part of yourself you’ve outgrown.

The Lasting Impact of Early Experiences

Much of my work centers on how the past shows up in the present — particularly how early experiences shape how we love, how we cope, and how we show up in our closest relationships as adults. If you find yourself repeating patterns you don’t want to repeat, therapy can help you understand where they come from and shift them in lasting ways.

Frequently Asked Questions

Questions people often ask

How long are sessions?

Standard sessions are 50 minutes. Some clients benefit from extended sessions, particularly for EMDR or trauma processing work — we can talk about whether that might be a good fit for you.

How often will we meet?

Most clients begin with weekly sessions, which helps build momentum and allows the work to deepen. Over time, some people transition to every other week. We’ll figure out what works best for you together.

What happens in a first session?

The first session is a chance for us to get to know each other. We’ll talk about what’s bringing you to counseling, what you’d like to work on, and any questions you have about the process. There’s no pressure to share more than feels comfortable — first sessions are just as much about getting a sense of fit as they are about beginning the work.

What if I’ve never been to therapy before?

That’s completely okay — and more common than you might think. You don’t need to know what to say or where to start. That’s something we’ll figure out together. My role is to help you feel comfortable enough to begin at your own pace.

Do you prescribe medication?

No. As a Licensed Professional Counselor, I provide therapy but don’t prescribe medication. If medication seems like it could be helpful, I’m happy to coordinate with your primary care provider or refer you to a psychiatrist or psychiatric nurse practitioner.

Do you offer in-person and virtual sessions?

Yes. I offer in-person therapy at my office in Montgomeryville, Pennsylvania, as well as virtual sessions for adults located anywhere in the state. I can also see Delaware residents virtually. While I value the depth of in-person work, virtual sessions are available to make therapy more accessible and flexible.

How do I know if we’re a good fit?

Fit matters more in therapy than almost anything else. After the first session or two, you’ll likely have a sense of whether the connection feels right. If it doesn’t, I’m always happy to help you find someone who feels like a better match.

What if I’m in crisis?

I’m not a crisis service and may not always be immediately available between sessions. If you’re experiencing a mental health emergency, please call or text 988 (the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline) or go to your nearest emergency room. We can also talk in our sessions about how to support you during moments when things feel especially overwhelming.

How do I get started?

If you’re ready to get started, you’re welcome to reach out or schedule an initial appointment through the contact form below. I typically respond within two business days.

Fees & Insurance

Transparent rates, clear policies

Self-pay rates

  • First session / intake$225
  • Counseling sessions$175

Cancellation policy

I require 24-hour notice for cancellations, or you will be charged the full session fee ($175). If you are using insurance benefits, the cancellation fee will be the full negotiated rate with your insurance company.

In-network insurance

  • Aetna
  • Ambetter
  • AmeriHealth
  • Blue Cross
  • Blue Shield
  • BlueCross and BlueShield
  • Capital Blue Cross
  • Cigna and Evernorth
  • ComPsych
  • Coventry
  • First Health
  • Highmark
  • Humana
  • Independence Blue Cross
  • Mental Health Consultants
  • Meritain Health
  • Optum
  • Oscar Health
  • Oxford
  • TRICARE
  • United Medical Resources (UMR)
  • UnitedHealthcare UHC | UBH
  • Out of Network

If you don’t see your plan listed, please reach out — the in-network list is updated periodically.

Contact

Reach out when you’re ready.

Reaching out can feel like a big step — but it doesn’t have to feel intimidating. Use the secure scheduling widget below. I typically respond within two business days.

Join Our Team

Better Headspace is growing.

Better Headspace is growing into a trauma-informed group practice, and I’m looking for thoughtful, grounded clinicians to grow with it.

I’m building a practice in Montgomeryville, PA, with in-office and hybrid options. The environment is comfortable, down-to-earth, and clinically strong — centered on autonomy, strong boundaries, depth-oriented work, and sustainable caseloads, not burnout.

I’m hiring licensed and pre-licensed clinicians (LPC, LCSW, LAC, LPAC, LSW, and equivalent) as W-2 employees. I offer flexible scheduling, credentialing, referrals, admin support, and the freedom to practice in a way that feels authentic to you.

This is a good fit for clinicians who value depth, connection, and meaningful work without feeling rushed or overextended.

If this sounds like a fit, feel free to email your resume or questions to [email protected].