Elizabeth Gillan, MA, LPC Associate, Supervised by Melissa Fleming, LPC-S, RPT-S, CCST-T.

About Elizabeth (she/her):

Elizabeth was born and raised in the Dallas area. She moved to Lubbock, TX to attend Texas Tech University (wreck em!) and got her degree in Human Development and Family Sciences with a minor in Spanish. A few months later, she found her way to Austin for graduate school and hasn’t looked back! She has an MA in Counseling from St. Edward’s University. She was inspired to be a therapist due to her own experience with therapy. She knew early in life that she wanted a career working directly with people, and it all made sense when she sat on her therapist’s couch for the first time. Her mom died suddenly at an early age, drawing her to the field of counseling, and working specifically with grief and loss. She has always felt like it was her calling to support others through hardship and to help them discover their authentic selves. When Elizabeth is not at the office, she enjoys pilates, being outdoors, spending time with her twin sister, and giving her 2 cats, Stevie and Louie, all the pets they want.

Beliefs about our work together in therapy:

Elizabeth believes that change is inevitable, and we all have the ability to grow and change. When working with children specifically, incorporating play is essential to allow them to communicate in their language. Using toys, children are able to invite us into their world and communicate challenging emotions and themes in their lives while building resilience and self-esteem at the same time. For adults, Elizabeth creates a safe, nonjudgemental space for them to show up authentically. You will meet the authentic version of her as well!

Elizabeth believes in meeting her clients where they are and incorporates various techniques depending on the need. For grief and loss specifically, Elizabeth acknowledges that we live in a world where death is taboo and a topic that is avoided, so a consistent safe space to talk about it is essential to healing. Elizabeth uses

existentialism at times, as grief can bring up those hard questions like “what does all this mean, anyway?” and incorporates strength-based techniques to provide empowerment to get through the hardest days. Elizabeth has worked with all ages and all different types of loss including widows/widowers, parent loss (children and adults), sibling loss, divorce, pet loss…all kinds of loss that life throws at us. Elizabeth acknowledges that asking for help takes courage and is proud of you for taking the first step.

Therapeutic modalities and experience:

• Registered Play Therapist in the making!

• Expressive arts with adolescents

• Child-centered play therapy with younger children

• Grief and Loss training from a clinical internship with The Austin Center for Grief & Loss

• Twins/multiples: I am an identical twin myself!

• Working through difficult life transitions

• Creating a life that aligns with your values and helping you live authentically

I offer services online and in person for all ages, 8 and under can be challenging online but I am willing to work with you!

For scheduling please click the button below or you may reach Elizabeth directly at elizabeth@attunedaustin.com

Elizabeth is currently accepting new clients and has immediate after-school availability.