Elizabeth Cortez, PhD

 

I view psychotherapy as a collaborative process—one built on trust, respect, and shared insight. You are the expert on your life. My role is to walk beside you with a deep understanding of human behavior, helping you uncover the patterns that may be holding you back and guiding you toward healthier ways of thinking, feeling, and relating.

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Therapy with me often begins by addressing the challenges that bring you in — whether you're navigating a major life transition, a breakup, relationship issues, career changes, or struggling with anxiety, low self-esteem, or depression. My initial focus is practical and cognitive: I use evidence-based strategies, particularly from Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), to help you manage distress, understand your core belief system, and begin creating meaningful shifts in your everyday life.

 

Once you're equipped with tools to handle the present, we may choose to explore deeper, more longstanding issues if appropriate. I believe that diving too quickly into painful past experiences can be overwhelming if we haven't yet established safety and emotional stability. That’s why I’m intentional about pacing — always tuning in to where you are and what you need most.

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While I often begin with CBT, my therapeutic approach is rooted in Attachment Theory, which emphasizes the lifelong importance of our early relational experiences. Our earliest bonds shape our sense of self and our expectations in adult relationships. If those early attachments were insecure, neglectful, or traumatic, we may carry a deep sense of disconnection or unworthiness — even if we can't name it. Exploring your relationship history can reveal the roots of emotional pain, self-doubt, or patterns of difficulty in intimacy.

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Together, we work to build insight, emotional resilience, and the ability to create healthy, fulfilling relationships — including the one you have with yourself.

 

After 25 years of doing this work, what continues to inspire me is witnessing those moments of transformation — when someone who once felt lost begins to find clarity, confidence, and hope. Helping people move from surviving to thriving is not just my job; it’s my calling.

 

As one former client once said, "Doc, let the healing begin."

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If you feel ready to begin this journey, I invite you to contact me for a free consultation. Let’s discover whether we’re the right fit to work together.