Reagan Elrod, PLPC

What led you to becoming a mental health clinician?

In high school I played softball, basketball, and track; in college, I was a pitcher for my college’s team. My own experiences in being a student athlete, and being on sports teams as a whole, made me realize that there are so many ways to help people. 

Both my best and my worst memories come from my time in athletics... I went to a college with very limited resources, let alone awareness and understanding of athletes’ mental health struggles. Seeing my own struggles, as well as the struggles of my teammates, changed me. These experiences ignited a passion in me to change the atmosphere of athletics as a whole, to be more supportive and affirming of mental and emotional wellness. 

What does being a 'good therapist' mean to you? 

A good therapist is someone who can create and maintain a safe space for clients to explore their emotions and struggles. I think being able to hold the wins, alongside the struggles, is important for strengthening confidence as well. 

In my sessions, I always focus on building a sense of safety between myself and my client. The therapeutic relationship is important to me; I always try to attend to that relationship, building trust and rapport between us in everything we do together. 

One of my strengths as a clinician is being very aware of my client’s own strengths and struggles, and helping them see their own strengths and skillfulness. I always want to be a safe place for clients to fall down and fall apart when life gets rough. 

What’s your training and educational background?

I have a Bachelor's of Science in Biology from Northern State University, with minors in Psychology and Health. I also have my Master's of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with a certificate in Academic Advising from South Dakota State University.

I currently offer person-centered therapy and gestalt therapy to clients aged 13-25 years old. 

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When not at work, Reagan loves to read, workout, put together puzzles, and build Lego sets. She has a passion for travelling, and is a big fan of the tea overseas in England. She has a rescue dog named Star, who has lots of energy, spunk, and the most lethal side eye. Her favorite snacks include pickles and ice cream.