Sydney Ellison (She/They)
DBT Fellow
Sydney is currently pursuing her master’s degree in clinical social work from Columbia University and holds her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Williams College.
She comes to clinical social work from the world of schools. Before beginning her master’s at Columbia, she worked as a psychosocial teacher for a third-grade class of neurodivergent students at Quad Prep, where she implemented generalized and individualized psychosocial, executive functioning, and crisis supports and interventions.
In her first year placement as an early childhood social work intern, Sydney provided individual and small group therapy for preschoolers, integrating child-directed and cognitive-behavioral play therapy approaches. In this role, she also led weekly social-emotional learning lessons and provided psychoeducation to parents and caregivers.
Additionally, she works as a pediatric clinical research assistant for COMBO, a Columbia University Irving Medical Center lab, guiding mother-child dyads through assessments to examine early relational health and social-emotional, cognitive, and motor development.
Sydney roots her therapeutic practice in a strengths-based and person-centered approach that recognizes clients as experts in their own experiences. She prioritizes cultivating a shared therapeutic space of curiosity, compassion, and trust.
As someone of mixed race, she believes that our thoughts and behaviors are co-created by our relationships, the cultural and social norms that surround us, and the family histories we are a part of. She works in partnership with clients as they process experiences, cope with emotions, and navigate challenges by balancing acceptance with change.
Born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, Sydney loves taking long walks in Botanical Gardens, reading in Prospect Park, and trying out new restaurants. She is an avid crafter who loves to keep her hands busy by making ceramics, knitting, and painting.
