Meet Ellington Curtis at Psychiatry of the Palm Beaches in Florida

Ellington hails from New Haven, Connecticut, but spent much of her childhood in Michigan, Colorado, New York, and South Carolina. Relocating throughout high school, Ellington found each new location provided exposure to different cultural backgrounds and demographics. From her various moves, she observed the impact of socioeconomic and environmental factors on mental health.

As an adult Ellington progressed in her education with a focus on medicine. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Biology from Syracuse University and studied medicine at Presbyterian College in Clinton, South Carolina. During this time, she worked as a medical scribe and assistant in primary care for three years. The deep trust and caring of the patient-provider relationship gave her a long-term vision of how she wanted to practice and help others have great mental health.

Coming from a close, well-rounded family, the Psychiatry of the Palm Beaches’ mission of “helping you live your best life” is a goal Ellington finds inspirational and understands well. Her passion for mental health runs even deeper; she has a constant motivation to help people struggling to connect with those around them and grow stronger. Her observations of family and friends overcoming adversity to succeed have given her valuable insights and will help her to impact many lives.

A close friend throughout her childhood struggled with bipolar disorder and substance abuse disorder. Her family was able to hide the devastation her actions were causing each family member. When Ellington became aware of her struggles, she fully realized the adage, “You never know what happens behind closed doors.” While providing support to her friend and being active in her treatment, she realized the immense amount of people and families struggling who might be hiding their pain from others out of shame or embarrassment and experienced an overwhelming drive to be a source of support.

Ellington passionately believes that everyone deserves emotional support and to be understood. Since childhood, she had a strong sense of empathy and interpersonal connections. She has always been passionate about providing support and comfort in her friends and family members’ times of need. As she helped others and saw how differently everyone experiences life, Ellington was captivated by the complexities of an individual’s mind and behavior. Exposed to new experiences and perspectives as she moved, Ellington’s commitment to listening and truly understanding deepened.

While attending Syracuse University, Ellington chose to work as a home health aide in impoverished communities across the city. She worked closely with patients that required assistance, as a result of the physical and emotional toll from mental illnesses. She enjoyed helping her patients. In her words, “I observed the potential difference I could make in the patients’ lives by offering compassion and emotional support.” As she continued to serve, Ellington next saw the home visits serve as an avenue for social connection for the patients and their families. As Ellington describes the decision she made for her career in medicine, “I was determined to make a difference in the lives of those struggling with mental illnesses and be a part of the movement to destigmatize mental health.” Her daily mission is to help those who are struggling to be understood and receive the emotional support they need.

Ellington treats most psychiatric conditions. Depression, OCD, anxiety, bipolar, mood disorders, psychotic disorders, and PTSD are some of the most common. She enjoys helping patients discover or rediscover meaning and joy in life. In the team sport we call life, Ellington always carries the conviction that nobody should play alone. Her patients describe her as fully engaged with excellent active listening skills, with gentle questions and deep emotional support. She has a gift for helping others see and even feel the positives in their life or a situation. She believes treatment is much more than medication and focuses on listening and encouraging thoughts and actions that will make a difference.

As she collaborates with her clients, Ellington believes in the power of emotional support, caring listening, and gentle guidance. During her emergency medicine rotation, Ellington was allowed to shadow a psychiatrist in the designated acute psychiatric unit. She observed the psychiatrist guide patients who were contemplating suicide to the realization that life is worth living. Ellington realizes that sometimes we need gentle guidance to see what others see and what has been true all along.

Ellington also works with her patients to improve their health. She worked as a personal trainer while preparing for a bodybuilding competition in college. Firsthand, she experienced the benefits that a healthy diet and routine exercise can have on mental health. Whether walking for a few minutes or something a little more intense, Ellington often helps her clients develop a healthy relationship with diet and exercise to fuel a better quality of life and self-image. Ellington prioritizes building strong patient-provider relationships that are based on trust, empathy, and mutual respect. One of Ellington’s goals is to create a safe and supportive environment that allows patients to actively participate in their treatment. She acknowledges and respects the diverse backgrounds, beliefs, and values of my patients. She believes that the mission of “Helping you live your best life” can only be achieved through active collaboration and listening.

Ellington enjoys kayaking, going to the beach, and of course spending time with her dog at the park! Reading is also an important pastime, and she enjoys many genres. When not doing any of the above, Ellington has been known to undertake DIY projects, which she enjoys.

Yes, Ellington Curtis accepts new patients at Psychiatry of the Palm Beaches. For more information, contact us. We have convenient locations to serve you.