Elizabeth Brady-Toomey

I'm a clinical therapist experienced in treating issues associated with trauma, poverty, chronic illness, and marginalized populations.

I most frequently provide therapy from a DBT informed perspective. I'm excited to begin training to include RO DBT to enhance therapy for people struggling with OCD, perfectionism, and people-pleasing. Therapy is a collaborative experience that should work at my client's pace with a little gentle nudging from me too.

I worked in community mental health for nearly 9 years before opening my private practice, Compassionate Collaborations, along with my business partner, Leslie Valentine, LISW. We are both experienced working with people impacted by poverty, serious mental illness, personality disorders, discrimination, and trauma. I encourage clients to come as they are, not who they think I think they should be. Counseling is supportive and at times irreverent with the aim of helping clients reach effective solutions for their lives and values.

I have personal experience with chronic pain and chronic medical issues and am able to particularly empathize with my clients in this way. Spiritually, I am open and clients can include their religious or spiritual beliefs as much or as little as they prefer. For those familiar, I'm an INFJ and believe that therapy has to include the impact of social justice on affected people. (If you are curious and want to find your type, check out 16personalities.com) I recognize that initially coming to counseling can be awkward and uncomfortable and encourage my clients to open up as gradually or quickly as they'd like.