Elizabeth Woods (she/her)

Most of my work as a psychotherapist has involved treating individuals struggling with issues along the anxiety spectrum, including generalized anxiety, social anxiety, health anxiety, and panic. I view anxiety through a neurobiological lens, wherein anxiety is a part of our bodies natural safety-seeking mechanism that can often become overactive. I support clients in understanding the function of anxiety and and how to increase their ability to stay regulated even in the context of stressors.

In my work with clients, I have found that factors such as messages from family, friends, and society, tendencies toward perfectionism and overcontrol, and even trauma, can affect people's relationships to their bodies in ways that are harmful and distressing. I take a multi-faceted approach to working with people to develop safe, gentle strategies to become more aware, connected, and, one day, respectful of their bodies as an integral part of their being.

I have worked with many people experiencing acute stress disorder, PTSD, and primarily, complex PTSD (sometimes known as developmental trauma). I view traumatic stress as the body's natural response to an unnatural stressor, and work with clients to help them regain a sense of safety in their bodies and in their environments, mainly through somatic techniques. I also use several modes of trauma processing, including Brainspotting and Hypnotherapy to help lower the intensity of traumatic memories

I have worked with many people experiencing acute stress disorder, PTSD, and primarily, complex PTSD (sometimes known as developmental trauma). I view traumatic stress as the body's natural response to an unnatural stressor, and work with clients to help them regain a sense of safety in their bodies and in their environments, mainly through somatic techniques. I also use several modes of trauma processing, including Brainspotting and Hypnotherapy to help lower the intensity of traumatic memories

Past wounds, traumas, and messages from family, community, and society create unconscious and habitual patterns of action, belief, and feeling. Much of the work of therapy happens in the room, when the dynamic between the therapist and client can shed light on these often hidden processes. I have been trained by several psychodynamically-oriented supervisors in the art and skill of paying attention to the here-and-now and using what's in the room to move clients forward.

I utilize the evidence-based three phase framework that prioritizes clients finding safety, processing memories, and integrating their stories to finding greater well-being. I prioritize and am skilled in building meaningful, safe, and trusting relationships with clients, which is of the utmost importance after trauma. I also have training in specific skills for trauma processing, including Brainspotting and Hypnotherapy. I utilize elements of positive psychology to help clients find wellbeing.

I have specific training in several body-oriented modalities, including Brainspotting and Polyvagal therapy, and incorporate these principles and techniques into my work across a broad range of presenting issues and concerns. My training has taught me that our bodies and brains are not distinct, separate entities, but that much healing can be found through understanding the connection and reintegrating the mind and body .