Dr. Elizabeth Smyth

I have extensive training and experience using the following approaches in therapy: cognitive- behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment-based treatments, emotion focused therapy, emotion-focused couples therapy with trauma survivors, integrative behavioral couple therapy, compassion-focused therapy, and mindfulness-based approaches. I help my patients learn and heal from their past experiences, then focus their attention on the present by supporting them to take action by modifying unproductive thought patterns, managing their emotions, and replacing unhealthy habits with healthy and productive behaviors. I view psychotherapy as a collaborative process with an emphasis on a warm, compassionate, non-judgmental therapeutic relationship. I will support you in increasing your self-awareness and developing the skills needed to create positive changes in your life. I look forward to getting to know you, understanding your unique challenges and meeting you exactly where you are today.

Mental health is complex. I have found that it usually takes a series of attempts before we entertain the scary idea of seeing a psychologist. However, it just may be that you are in the right place. Therapy is not a magical cure, but it is the best path I know to heal, grow, gain insight, and feel better. In the process of therapy, you will likely make sense of your past and begin to understand how it affects your present. Many find greater awareness of themselves, and therefore are better able to navigate relationships and challenges in their lives. I know – I have been there. Therapy is more than a chat, checklist review, self-improvement project, or the "solving" of you as a crossword puzzle. Therapy is a relationship between two people devoted to facing the deepest truths of our lives so we can be healed. Making that first appointment can be difficult and may even provoke anxiety, but I know of no better or more worthy investment than psychotherapy.