Liz McElroy
My work is: Direct but compassionate
For more than two decades, I have worked in addiction treatment, supporting clients with relapse prevention, accountability, and sustainable recovery.
Strategic, not surface-level Collaborative â you stay in control Focused on symptom reduction and sustainable growth Therapy should not feel vague. You should leave sessions with insight and tools. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor with more than 24 years of clinical experience, specializing in addiction recovery, trauma treatment, stages of change, and couples therapy. I provide structured, results-oriented virtual therapy for adults and couples who are ready to actively engage in meaningful change. With over 140 five-star ratings, clients consistently describe my approach as direct, authentic, insightful, and deeply invested in their growth.
First session
What to Expect in the First Session You will feel heard. We will clarify whether my approach aligns with your goals. You will leave with at least one actionable strategy. You will not waste your time. Therapy is an investment â financially and emotionally. I respect both.
Strengths
I work for my clientsâgetting the answers, doing the digging, and asking the hard questions so they donât have toâso they can focus on improving their lives. Grounded in the stages of change model, I specialize in helping people who know they need change but feel unsure about how to move forward.Her path to the counseling profession was shaped by years of working directly with people across vastly different circumstances. Her professional experience has taken her from Early Head Start programs and community-based therapy to working with military families and individuals involved with the criminal justice system. Along the way, she developed a firsthand understanding of human behaviorânot only from textbooks and clinical theory, but from sitting with people as they confronted some of the most difficult chapters of their lives.
Ideal clients
My Ideal Clients I am best positioned to serve: High-functioning adults who appear âfineâ but feel internally stuck Professionals navigating addiction recovery or relapse prevention Individuals in the contemplation or action stage of change Couples who want clarity, repair, or structured decision-making Trauma survivors who want to process the past without being defined by it Clients who are serious about doing work between sessions If you are looking for passive therapy, I am not the right fit. If you are ready to engage and apply strategies between sessions, we can create meaningful change. I am best able to assist clients with reflecting and navigating to the stages of change. If client is practicing techniques and strategies between sessions, there will usually be a positive reduction of symptoms causing unwanted consequences in client's life. I am best positioned to serve clients that are self-aware that something is a barrier to reaching the life they want to have. I am able to help clients that are open taking charge of their recovery with the assistance of the therapeutic process.
Treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
My professional background spans Early Head Start programs through the Criminal Justice system, providing extensive experience with diverse populations and complex behavioral patterns. For more than two decades, I have worked in addiction treatment, supporting clients in relapse prevention, accountability, and sustainable recovery. My expertise in the stages of change model allows me to effectively support individuals who feel stuck between knowing change is necessary and knowing how to implement it. My clinical approach is grounded in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Trauma-Focused CBT, and Motivational Interviewing. I work with individuals who want more than supportive conversationâthey want strategy, clarity, and real symptom reduction. Clients leave sessions with actionable tools, measurable frameworks, and a clear understanding of how to apply techniques between appointments. I emphasize efficiency and forward progress, honoring both the emotional and financial investment therapy requires.
Motivational Interviewing
Motivational Interviewing Change is not just about knowing better. It is about understanding why you hesitate and building the internal motivation to move. This modality is especially effective for: Addiction recovery Ambivalence in relationships Lifestyle change Accountability without shame I help you close the gap between intention and action.
Couples Counseling
In couples counseling, she remains neutral and structured, guiding partners to identify communication patterns, regulate conflict, and rebuild emotional connection, teamwork. Couples working with her often report improved clarity, reduced escalation, and stronger teamwork. Whether the outcome is reconnection or respectful separation, the process prioritizes stability and informed decision-making. The Role of the Therapist Stay neutral and supportive of both partners Guide the conversation in a safe and productive way Help each partner feel heard and validated Teach tools to manage conflict and increase emotional connection Therapists donât âfixâ the relationship for you â they help you both learn how to repair and grow it together.
Trauma-Focused CBT
In trauma treatment, McElroy helps clients understand survival responses that persist long after danger has passed. Through structured TF-CBT work, clients develop emotional regulation skills, process difficult memories safely, and replace shame-based thinking with empowered self-understanding. Her approach emphasizes safety, choice, and forward movement.
Location
Virtual sessions
Identifies as
Top specialties
Other specialties
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Licensed in
- GeorgiaLicense LPC009500