Elisa Woodruff

I earned my Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Counselor Education and Supervision, a Master’s degree (MS.Ed) in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, and a Graduate Certificate in Trauma-Informed Care from Northern Illinois University. I am a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in the state of Illinois and am Certified in Neuropsychotherapy, EMDR, and the Assessment & Treatment of ADHD. My clinical and research interests include traumatic and adverse experiences, attention and motivation, anxiety and depression, LGBTQIA+ identity development, gender identity and expression, mind/body wellness and brain health, medical issues, chronic illness, and somatization, developmental transitions (i.e., leaving home, retiring), career and vocation, and spiritual and values identification and development. The therapeutic process takes courage, but when you call the practice, you will have already taken one of the hardest steps. From that moment on, you will have a kind, committed, and optimistic ally who will help you process your ups, your downs, and all the stuff in between. I do this by honoring and celebrating your past experiences, cultural identities, and personal preferences and using my expansive knowledge of evidence-based counseling modalities to create an approach that is unique to you, in which you are an active participant, and which can flex to match the context and content of any given session. I have formal training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Neuropsychotherapy (addressing challenges using exercises that strengthen your brain!), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, EMDR, Trauma-Informed Mind/Body approaches, and modern psychodynamic theory as well as 8+ years’ experience teaching a cannon of other tried-and-true counseling theories and modalities. Past clients, students, and colleagues have described me as warm, vibrant, and inquisitive and have stated that my love for the work is infectious and apparent in all interactions. In appointments, I will help you process your pain and frustrations, identify strategies that have gotten you this far, and help you build them into a toolbox that you can continue to develop long past your final therapy appointment. My hope is that I can help you gain insight into the things that distress you, thus making them less powerful, so you can turn attention and energy to the things that make your life meaningful. I will also help you identify strengths, values, and goals, so you are empowered to focus on those things no matter what life throws at you. PS: If you are a transgender or gender expansive adult (18+) seeking support and community, please ask me about my Gender Resilience and Empowerment Group!!