Book a therapist or psychiatrist in Apex, NC covered by Aetna

I love working with people and helping them "grow" through the things of life that they "go" through. A quote that I love to share with clients and live by personally is to remember not to focus on your purpose but to live your life purposely. As a military social worker my background is specific to first responders, but most importantly individuals that are learning their new "normal" after traumatic life events that have unexpectedly shaped them.

I help adolescents and adults who feel weighed down by trauma, anxiety, or depression—whether that comes from childhood abuse, military experiences, or the impact of a narcissistic parent, ex, or partner. I know how isolating that can be. In our work together, my priority is helping you feel truly seen, heard, and understood in a safe, confidential space where you can show up exactly as you are.

Partner 1: “I reach for you, but it feels like you’re already gone.” I’m left wondering if I matter to you at all.” Partner 2: “When you come close, I feel the pressure to be perfect, so I pull back to protect us both.” These unspoken messages leave couples lonely and stuck. I help break this anxious–avoidant cycle so partners feel safe, seen, and deeply connected again.

“I don’t understand why I want closeness so badly, yet feel disappointed when I have it. Why do I feel lonelier than others, even when I’m not alone?” Or: “I care deeply, but people say I’m distant or hard to read. When emotions get intense, I shut down—not because I don’t feel, but because it feels like too much.”

These quiet tensions live beneath awareness for many people. Longing and self-protection pull in opposite directions. Needs feel confusing, emotions feel overwhelming or unsafe, and core beliefs quietly form—I’m too much, I’m not enough, connection costs me something.

I help people loosen these patterns, reconcile the Self with more truthful and adaptive beliefs, and move toward self-acceptance and interdependence—where connection no longer threatens safety, but deepens it.

After nine years serving in the U.S. Coast Guard, I realized my deepest fulfillment came not from fixing systems, but from walking with people. Leaving the military was not a departure from service—it was a continuation of it. I pursued social work and theological training to better support people in their most important relationships. Today, my practice is devoted to couples counseling and trauma-informed care. Drawing primarily from Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and EMDR, I help couples slow conflict, understand what drives disconnection, and emotional safety. As a veteran and seminary-trained therapist, I bring structure, compassion, and steady hope—meeting clients with respect, grace, and a belief in lasting change.

A defining part of my therapy work is that I provide highly-personalized psychotherapy services for each of my clients. With almost 7 years of experience, I have tailored my focus on trauma and complex trauma in adults. Whether we use EMDR or talk-therapy, it is my goal as a therapist to learn about your story, witness you in your present reality, and help you build a more hopeful future.

Hi, I’m Liz! I help clients heal from past trauma and uncover the root of what’s keeping them feeling stuck. Trauma can shape the way you see yourself, others, and the world—often showing up as anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, or difficulty setting healthy boundaries.

My work focuses on addressing these deeper patterns to support lasting healing and meaningful personal growth. For those who desire it, I also offer the option to integrate Christian faith into the counseling process.

I believe therapy should not only be effective but also feel human and approachable. We’ll roll up our sleeves and do the work together, while also making space for moments of lightness along the way.