My Therapeutic Approach
Heal deep wounds, calm anxiety,
and develop the confidence you need
to be your best self.
My Therapeutic Approach
What is distinct about my approach is that I empower you from day one to direct your own therapeutic journey. I work with people who are proactive in the healing process, who are excited about personal growth and who are motivated to do the work.
My clients come to therapy with an intention for the session and a list of questions, insights, thoughts, memories, or ideas they want to explore. We really make use of our therapy time, and my job is to provide education, reflection, guidance, and support during the process.
I have a toolbox of theories, models and approaches for healing wounds from the past, and empowering you in the present and will choose a combination depending on your needs.
The main theoretical framework I use is called "Contemplative Psychology" which is a blend of Buddhist teachings and Western psychology. I combine this with Internal Family Systems, Polyvagal Theory, Attachment Theory and Somatic Psychology. In practice I also use meditation, visualization, parts work, plus tools and techniques that integrate mind & body.
When combined, these theories and techniques heal deep attachment wounds and allow you to move from anger to acceptance and be your best self.
Therapy is not one-size-fits-all!
If this approach calls to you, welcome… and please read on!
My Specialties
I offer therapy/counseling services to two very specific types of clients.
Therapy for adult children of a narcissist
Therapy for anxiety
I specialize because I want to focus my energy and expertise on the people that I am most passionate about helping. I believe this makes me more attuned to my ideal clients and we get better results.
In addition to one of these specialties, it is essential that my clients are:
Ready to take charge of their healing journey
Motivated to do the work outside of our sessions
Interested in mindfulness as an access to healing
Dedicated to living a full life
My specialty does not include people who are in the middle of divorce or in a romantic relationship with a narcissist.
If you do not fit the criteria for my therapy services, please know that the right therapist is out there for you and healing is possible.
Counseling/Therapy for Adult Children of a Narcissist
Narcissistic abuse and/or a lack of healthy attachment from a parental figure can create deep-seated boundary issues, lack of trust in others and in ourselves, as well as a lifetime of guilt and shame. It creates a disconnect between mind and body and affects the very foundation of your experience of self.
A relationship with a narcissistic parent can impact every relationship in your life, even if you are trying very hard to make them work.
Many years ago, I was healing from a narcissistic relationship. At the time, therapists rarely talked about narcissism, and it was difficult to find someone who really understood my experience.
Later, when I opened my own private practice, I realized that many of my clients had a narcissistic parent and reported feeling misunderstood by previous therapists. Sadly, this lack of understanding stalled the healing process for many people.
I realized I had found my calling. I decided to focus my counseling services, further education, and energy on helping clients heal from narcissistic abuse in their formative years.
Now, I help my clients integrate mind and body while reconnecting to, and trusting, their intuition. I also help them establish boundaries and overcome co-dependent patterns. Much of the work I do is healing inner child/attachment wounds and learning to manage uncomfortable and difficult emotions.
I find my work extremely humbling. The opportunity to help people find their authentic voice, be empowered, and live their best lives is a true privilege.
My clients are courageous, even if they don’t always feel that way!
Counseling/Therapy for Anxiety
Humans have evolved with an inbuilt response to danger, which includes a heightened state of awareness – anxiety. This feeling of anxiety could literally save our lives if need be. But in modern times, anxiety can be triggered by a multitude of stressors, every single day.
It is hard to live your best life with symptoms of anxiety, such as fear, panic attacks, stomach problems, sweating, trembling, dizziness, insomnia, fatigue, skin conditions, headaches, brain fog, lack of focus, overwhelm, exhaustion, etc.
And, if your own personal history PLUS recent world health events were not enough to get you there, anxiety disorders can accompany other physical illnesses as well.
Long-term anxiety can have devastating impacts on your physical and mental wellbeing. Therapy for anxiety is now the most common request from my clients.
With counseling or therapy for anxiety, my approach includes mindfulness, meditation, and polyvagal theory. I also use elements of dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), client-centered therapy and interpersonal psychotherapy.
Mindfulness is a gentle-yet-powerful way to work with thoughts, feelings, and beliefs. Mindfulness creates space for change by allowing us to experience life more fully instead of avoiding it or struggling against it.
Being present, without the filter of our past experiences or future expectations, creates space for clarity. This defines and empowers our thoughts and actions in the now.
This is a space where healing and growth occur.
What is it like to work with me?
Elizabeth Trautwein
I am an understanding guide, empathetic support, and dedicated resource coming from a place of authenticity and compassion.
I can be direct when needed and I also have a sense of humor. The person I am out in the world is also how I show up as a therapist. I’m relatable, personable and I truly care for my clients.
I work with a client-centric focus. My focus is on integrating the empowering methods that you need, while you steer the therapeutic journey.
With counseling, firstly, we work together to make sure that you feel safe, and we always move at a pace that is comfortable for you.
I only work with clients who are keen to own their therapy process. They have self-awareness, and do the work outside of our therapy time, such as reading, journaling, visualization, or meditation.
Healing is Possible
Healing from narcissistic abuse doesn’t come from reading more about narcissism and narcissistic abuse. It’s easy to get sucked into watching video after video and reading book after book.
Education and understanding your experience are important. But only as a first step. With counseling/therapy the actual healing work comes next, and it takes time, intentional work, self-compassion, and lots of patience with the process.
The clients who have done the most healing are the ones who focused on themselves, healing deep attachment wounds, and building an integrated self.
Understanding narcissism is important and has its place. With therapy I spend time helping clients clearly recognize the impact a narcissistic relationship has had on their life. Then, the focus changes to their growth and it no longer is about the narcissist in their life. This is a very exciting development and is a space where anything is possible.
Take the next step!
I offer a free 15-minute video consultation, to see if we are right for each other.
This consultation is a safe space where you can experience the work and decide whether to take this journey together.
please note...
I do NOT accept insurance!
BOOK NOW!
Limited new clients starting in fall 2023.
All times are listed in Pacific Standard Time.
I serve residents of Arizona, Washington,
and Oregon.