Elissa “Liz” Woodruff, PhD

I am glad you are here. Asking for help takes courage and coming to our website is the first step. If the information I have provided below resonates with you, please give me a call so that I can learn a bit about you, the type of help you’re looking for, and answer any questions you may have for me.

I am a licensed clinical psychologist with over 15 years of experience. I enjoy working with adults, children and teens, and families in the pursuit of healing. My primary areas of expertise include anxiety and depressive disorders, eating disorders, and trauma.

When working with families, I employ Family Based Therapy for Eating Disorders (FBT) and Emotion Focused Family Therapy (EFFT), and I have formal certification in both of these treatment modalities. When working with individuals, I take an integrative approach that includes psychodynamic therapy, cognitive behavioral therapies, and mindfulness based techniques. I have worked in various settings including partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient programs, medical settings, community mental health, university settings, and private practice.

In addition to providing therapy, I am also available for clinical supervision, workshops, trainings, and seminars on various topics related to mental health.

I earned my Ph.D. from the University of North Texas and trained at Stanford University where I specialized in the treatment of young adults and developed expertise in working with eating disorders, members of the LGBTQ community, and substance abuse.

My approach to therapy

Strong, meaningful relationships are vital to our emotional well-being, and we thrive on connection with others. When we experience disconnection or upheaval in our interpersonal lives, our mental health necessarily suffers. Together, we will explore your relationships and help you establish and maintain enriching, healthy connections with others. The therapeutic relationship is a unique and powerful tool that can be used to aid in such work. Through exploring our experiences in therapy together, we will work to transform your relationships and promote security and vitality in your relationships with others.

In addition to relational approaches, my work is strongly influenced by mindfulness-based techniques. It is my deep belief that integrating mindful presence in all we do has great potential for healing. Thus, I work to help my clients learn, practice, and apply these techniques in their daily lives.

Lastly, I believe in the healing power of parents and caregivers as agents of change in their loved one’s journey toward healing. In addition to individual psychotherapy, I also work with parents and caregivers to harness their bond with their loved ones to facilitate real and enduring transformation regarding emotion processing, neurobiological change, and healing relational wounds.

Training & Professional Affiliations: 

  • Certified in Family Based Therapy for Eating Disorders (FBT)

  • Certified in Emotion Focused Family Therapy (EFFT)

  • Co-founder of the Mississippi Coalition of Eating Disorder Professionals

  • Past President of Eating Disorder Recovery Support, Inc. a nonprofit organization

    Past Membership Chair of the San Francisco Psychological Association

  • Past membership chair of Marin County Psychological Association

  • Member of the American, Mississippi, and San Francisco Psychological Associations

  • Dissertation grant award recipient

Research

The bulk of my research investigates eating, exercise, and body image disturbances across genders. More recently I have been involved in research looking at eating disorders as they manifest in transgender and gender non-binary folks. I am also looking more deeply into the ways that folks with eating disorders use their bodies as a means to manage and express emotions and needs and ways to use this awareness to support healing. I have also researched models promoting tolerance and cultural humility between different religious groups to promote community and reduce aggression and violence.

Publications

Woodruff, E.J., Kaminski, P.L., Archuleta, W.P. A comprehensive model of body dissatisfaction in men. Manuscript submitted for publication.

Dodd, Z. & Woodruff, E.J. (In Press). A Psychoanalytic Understanding of Eating Disorders in Athletes: Defensive and Facilitative Potentials. Psychoanalysis, Culture, & Society. Publication in Press.

Woodruff, E.J., Van Tongeren, D.R., McElory, S., Davis, D.E., & Hook, J.N. (2012). Humility and religion: Benefits, difficulties, and a model of religious tolerance. In Chu Kim-Prieto (Ed.), Positive Psychology of Religion and Spirituality Across Cultures. New York: Springer Publishing Co. Publications.

Bell, C., Woodruff, E.J., Davis, D.E., Van Tongeren, D.R., Hook, J.N., & Worthington, E.L. Jr. (2014). Community Sanctification of Forgiveness. Journal of Psychology and Theology, 42(3), 243-251.