About

Hi. I’m Liz.

I am a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associate and former professor of interpersonal relations at North Carolina State University. I earned a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Western Carolina University in 2025 and a PhD in Communication from the University of Oklahoma in 2008. I bring together theoretical expertise and clinical experience in understanding how people communicate and connect.

Throughout my career, I’ve had the privilege of working with adults through all kinds of personal and professional transitions. My years in higher education gave me countless opportunities to guide people during pivotal moments–students figuring out their next steps, colleagues navigating the rigors of academia, and other mental health professionals working in my community to better support the families they serve.

What these experiences have taught me is that sometimes we just need to start from where we are. I’m here to offer support during times when the path forward isn’t clear. We’ll work together to build practical tools that lead to real, lasting change.

Couples Therapy

My approach to couples therapy draws on over 20 years of teaching and researching interpersonal communication, combined with training in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and attachment theory. I view relationships as dynamic systems where each partner’s unique lived experience shapes how you connect—and sometimes disconnect—from one another. Whether you’re navigating a specific challenge, feeling stuck in recurring patterns, or simply wanting to strengthen your bond, we’ll work on exploring deeper emotional needs and develop new ways of reaching for each other that foster lasting connection and resilience.

Individual Therapy

As a clinician, I’ve had the opportunity to work with adults across all life stages in both individual and group settings. I specialize in helping clients navigate some of life’s most challenging relational experiences such as supporting loved ones through addiction recovery, adjusting to the emotional shifts of postpartum life, working through codependent relationship patterns, navigating complex family dynamics, processing grief and loss of both humans and beloved pets, and supporting LGBTQ+ individuals through relationship challenges. What I’ve learned is that regardless of the specific challenge, there are common threads—we all need support in understanding our emotional needs, setting boundaries that enhance our wellbeing, and finding our way toward relationships that feel safe and authentic. I work to create an environment where vulnerability is welcomed and where we can explore the deeper relational and emotional patterns that shape your life. Whether you’re learning to trust again, finding your voice in relationships, or discovering what healthy connection looks like for you, I’m here to walk alongside you in that journey.

My therapeutic approach includes several evidence-based techniques, rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. I affirm the full spectrum of human diversity by creating a space where marginalized identities–including neurodivergence, LGBTQ+ experiences, persons with disabilities, racial and ethnic backgrounds, economic circumstances, and different life stages–are celebrated as sources of strength and wisdom.