Promoting healing through the power of connection for individuals, families, and the community.
About Dr. Woodruff
Dr. Woodruff provides integrated psychological support for individuals, couples, and families in their pursuit of healing and change. While a primary goal includes symptom reduction, she also supports clients to create a meaningful life and achieve long-term healing, rather than just short term relief.
Dr. Woodruff is passionate about supporting clients in their journey toward healing. Our world poses challenges and stressors on a macro and micro level every day, some mild, some seemingly insurmountable. She believes that having a safe, containing space to process, share, and heal is of utmost importance for everyone. Beyond managing life’s stressors, we all deserve the opportunity to create a meaningful, enriching life and reach our fullest potential. Dr, Woodruff aims to create a safe, nurturing space that facilitates each of these goals.
Beginning therapy can be an intimidating and even daunting process. Dr. Woodruff aims to make initiating this process easy for you. Therapy should be a collaborative process, and your agency and needs are of primary importance. Dr. Woodruff will work with you to identify your treatment needs, understand your current symptoms, functioning, and personality, and identify your unique strengths that will support your process in treatment. Together, we will help alleviate your symptoms while simultaneously helping you to capitalize on and hone your strengths so that you may ultimately thrive. The approaches Dr. Woodruff uses to support this process are rooted in science, clinical expertise, and continuous collaboration with you. Upon completion of treatment, you should experience greater life satisfaction, a stronger sense of who you are as a person, more fulfilling relationships, and a greater sense of your purpose and meaning in life. Additionally, you will conclude treatment with a set of skills and tools to support you in managing life’s stressors so that you no longer need to turn to harmful behaviors or maladaptive coping skills.
Elissa “Liz” Woodruff, PhD
I am glad you are here. Asking for help takes courage and coming to our website is the first step. If the information I have provided below resonates with you, please give me a call so that I can learn a bit about you, the type of help you’re looking for, and answer any questions you may have for me.
I am a licensed clinical psychologist with over 15 years of experience. I enjoy working with adults, children and teens, and families in the pursuit of healing. My primary areas of expertise include anxiety and depressive disorders, eating disorders, and trauma.
When working with families, I employ Family Based Therapy for Eating Disorders (FBT) and Emotion Focused Family Therapy (EFFT), and I have formal certification in both of these treatment modalities. When working with individuals, I take an integrative approach that includes psychodynamic therapy, cognitive behavioral therapies, and mindfulness based techniques. I have worked in various settings including partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient programs, medical settings, community mental health, university settings, and private practice.
In addition to providing therapy, I am also available for clinical supervision, workshops, trainings, and seminars on various topics related to mental health.
I earned my Ph.D. from the University of North Texas and trained at Stanford University where I specialized in the treatment of young adults and developed expertise in working with eating disorders, members of the LGBTQ community, and substance abuse.
My approach to therapy
Strong, meaningful relationships are vital to our emotional well-being, and we thrive on connection with others. When we experience disconnection or upheaval in our interpersonal lives, our mental health necessarily suffers. Together, we will explore your relationships and help you establish and maintain enriching, healthy connections with others. The therapeutic relationship is a unique and powerful tool that can be used to aid in such work. Through exploring our experiences in therapy together, we will work to transform your relationships and promote security and vitality in your relationships with others.
In addition to relational approaches, my work is strongly influenced by mindfulness-based techniques. It is my deep belief that integrating mindful presence in all we do has great potential for healing. Thus, I work to help my clients learn, practice, and apply these techniques in their daily lives.
Lastly, I believe in the healing power of parents and caregivers as agents of change in their loved one’s journey toward healing. In addition to individual psychotherapy, I also work with parents and caregivers to harness their bond with their loved ones to facilitate real and enduring transformation regarding emotion processing, neurobiological change, and healing relational wounds.
Training & Professional Affiliations:
Certified in Family Based Therapy for Eating Disorders (FBT)
Certified in Emotion Focused Family Therapy (EFFT)
Co-founder of the Mississippi Coalition of Eating Disorder Professionals
Past President of Eating Disorder Recovery Support, Inc. a nonprofit organization
Past Membership Chair of the San Francisco Psychological Association
Past membership chair of Marin County Psychological Association
Member of the American, Mississippi, and San Francisco Psychological Associations
Dissertation grant award recipient
Research
The bulk of my research investigates eating, exercise, and body image disturbances across genders. More recently I have been involved in research looking at eating disorders as they manifest in transgender and gender non-binary folks. I am also looking more deeply into the ways that folks with eating disorders use their bodies as a means to manage and express emotions and needs and ways to use this awareness to support healing. I have also researched models promoting tolerance and cultural humility between different religious groups to promote community and reduce aggression and violence.
Publications
Woodruff, E.J., Kaminski, P.L., Archuleta, W.P. A comprehensive model of body dissatisfaction in men. Manuscript submitted for publication.
Dodd, Z. & Woodruff, E.J. (In Press). A Psychoanalytic Understanding of Eating Disorders in Athletes: Defensive and Facilitative Potentials. Psychoanalysis, Culture, & Society. Publication in Press.
Woodruff, E.J., Van Tongeren, D.R., McElory, S., Davis, D.E., & Hook, J.N. (2012). Humility and religion: Benefits, difficulties, and a model of religious tolerance. In Chu Kim-Prieto (Ed.), Positive Psychology of Religion and Spirituality Across Cultures. New York: Springer Publishing Co. Publications.
Bell, C., Woodruff, E.J., Davis, D.E., Van Tongeren, D.R., Hook, J.N., & Worthington, E.L. Jr. (2014). Community Sanctification of Forgiveness. Journal of Psychology and Theology, 42(3), 243-251.
Contact Us
Common Questions
Is therapy right for me?
Therapy is right for you if you are seeking greater self-awareness and insight, looking for new, creative solutions to life's problems, and learning healthy, effective ways of coping with the difficulties life inevitably presents. If you're not sure whether therapy is right for you but are considering seeking help, I encourage you to schedule a free phone consultation with me so we can discuss this in detail.
What should I expect in the first session?
I view the first session as an opportunity to learn about why you are seeking therapy for you, your family, your child, or adolescent and to discuss preliminary goals for treatment. The first session is also an opportunity for you to assess whether my therapeutic style feels like a good fit and to ask any questions you may have about me and my treatment approach. We will also discuss payment, cancellation, and in-between session contact.
Do you accept insurance?
Our providers are classified as out-of-network for all insurance companies. I can provide you with a "superbill" on a monthly basis that you can submit to your insurance company to request reimbursement. We recommend contact your insurance company directly with questions about your coverage. If your insurance does not cover out-of-network providers, you may be able to pay for therapy out of your pre-tax income using an HSA or FSA account.
Is therapy confidential?
Generally speaking, the confidentiality of all communication between a client and psychotherapist is protected by law. Information may only be disclosed with written consent directly from the client or their guardian. There are exceptions to this rule, including:
Suspected child abuse, dependent adult or elder abuse.
If the client threatens serious bodily harm to another person.
If the client intends to harm themselves.
What forms of payment do you accept?
We accept payment by cash, check, or credit card.