Elena Jaeger
Saint Augusta,MN
Summary
Compassionate psychotherapist with specialized experience in psychosocial oncology, integrated behavioral health, and adult outpatient mental health. Skilled in clinical assessment, evidence-based psychotherapy, and supporting patients navigating cancer, grief, chronic illness, and life transitions. Dedicated to providing patient-centered care through interdisciplinary collaboration, advocacy, and a focus on emotional well-being and quality of life.
Overview
1
1
Certification
8
8
years of professional experience
Work History
IBH Associate Psychotherapist
CentraCare Coborn Cancer Center
St. Cloud, MN
12.2024 - Current
- Provide brief, evidence-based psychotherapy to oncology patients and caregivers navigating cancer-related distress, grief, trauma, and adjustment to illness.
- Utilize CBT, ACT, DBT, MI, and meaning-centered interventions to address prognostic uncertainty, fear of recurrence, and end-of-life concerns.
- Conduct psychosocial assessments, suicide risk assessments, and crisis interventions.
- Collaborate with interdisciplinary oncology teams to integrate behavioral health into comprehensive cancer care.
- Facilitate support groups, psychoeducational programming, and community outreach events.
Adult Outpatient Associate Psychotherapist
CentraCare Midsota
St. Cloud, MN
09.2024 - Current
- Provide individual psychotherapy to adults with diverse mental health concerns using CBT, ACT, DBT, MI, and trauma-informed approaches.
- Develop individualized, evidence-based treatment plans with measurable goals.
- Monitor progress through clinical assessments, standardized screenings, and treatment goal reviews.
- Provide psychoeducation and skills training in emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and adaptive coping.
- Collaborate with interdisciplinary providers to coordinate care and maintain accurate, timely clinical documentation.
Oncology Social Worker
Coborn Cancer Center
04.2020 - 09.2024
- Conducted psychosocial needs assessments and delivered targeted clinical interventions to address patient challenges.
- Helped patients understand diagnosis and treatment plan; assessed coping methods and provided emotional support.
- Facilitated collaborative communication with healthcare providers to ensure comprehensive support for patient psychosocial and psychiatric needs.
- Guided patients, families, and caregivers in grief, bereavement, stress management, and self-care strategies.
- Collaborated with an interdisciplinary team during palliative care consults to enhance patient support.
- Provided feedback during board meetings to support patient-centered care aligned with Commission on Cancer guidelines.
- Documented clinical notes accurately each day; utilized Epic training.
Social Work Case Manager
Sanford Bemidji Medical Center
02.2019 - 04.2020
- Conducted needs assessments with patients and connected them to appropriate resources.
- Facilitated referrals to in-patient rehabilitation centers, psychiatric hospitals, home health services, long-term acute care hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and hospice to meet patients' needs.
- Educated patients/caregivers on how to navigate the healthcare system, connected them to resources, and empowered them to utilize those resources.
- Engaged daily with interdisciplinary healthcare provider teams to coordinate comprehensive patient care.
- Collaborated with discharge planning care management team to ensure effective transitions for patients.
Education
Master of Science - Social Work
St. Cloud State University
St. Cloud, MN05-2024
Bachelor of Science - Social Work
Saint Cloud State University
Saint Cloud, Minnesota01-2018
Study Abroad - Political Science
St. Cloud State University
Laos, Thailand, Malaysia01-2016
Skills
Clinical assessment and intervention
Biopsychosocial evaluation
- Differential diagnosis
Individual psychotherapy
- Evidence-based treatment planning
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)
- Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
- Motivational interviewing
- Suicide risk assessment and crisis intervention
- Integrated healthcare strategies
- Psychosocial oncology support
- Behavioral health integration
- Interdisciplinary care coordination
- Chronic illness adjustment support
- Patient advocacy initiatives
- Clinical judgment and decision-making
- Therapeutic communication skills
- Group facilitation techniques
- Psychoeducation delivery
- Program development expertise
- Community outreach efforts
- Safety planning strategies
- DSM-5 diagnostic proficiency
Certification
- Licensed Graduate Social Worker
Affiliations
- American Cancer Society Transportation Grant Recipient | April 2023 & April 2024
- Wrote a grant proposal and was awarded $20,0000 from the American Cancer Society two years in a row for transportation expenses.
- Project director of Grant Project Responsibilities: oversaw implementation of the budget, coordinated facilitation of grant funding, provided interim and final progress reports.
- Decreased appointment cancellations attributable to transportation challenges by 71%.
- Reduced the number of transportation referrals left without solutions 39% 2022 to 20% in 2023.
Boards & Committee's
TriUnity Foundation Committee | September 2023 - Current
- Participate in the development of this committee in unity with St. Cloud Financial Credit Union to award financial grants to terminally ill patients with medical debt.
National Commission on Cancer Network Board | May 2022- September 2024
- Was responsible for coordination and implementation of NCCN standard 5.2: Psychosocial Distress Screening Tool.
- Tracked data and reports quarterly to ensure the tool is being used; provided education of the tool to staff.
Gorecki Guest House Steering Committee | May 2022- September 2024
- Participated in financial and general updates from the Gorecki house.
Young Adult Cancer Committee | May 2022- September 2024
- Offered social work insight to projects organized by the Coborn Cancer Center that affect the young adult population.
Palliative Oncology Committee | May 2022- September 2024
- Offers social work insight with a multidisciplinary group on ways to productively and effectively integrate palliative care into the Coborn Cancer Center
Timeline
IBH Associate Psychotherapist
CentraCare Coborn Cancer Center
12.2024 - Current
Adult Outpatient Associate Psychotherapist
CentraCare Midsota
09.2024 - Current
Oncology Social Worker
Coborn Cancer Center
04.2020 - 09.2024
Social Work Case Manager
Sanford Bemidji Medical Center
02.2019 - 04.2020
Master of Science - Social Work
St. Cloud State University
Bachelor of Science - Social Work
Saint Cloud State University
Study Abroad - Political Science
St. Cloud State University