Liz O'Connell, LCSW

My therapeutic approach and style are informed primarily by my training in Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT).

AEDP is an attachment-oriented, relational psychotherapy which helps people process challenging emotional and interpersonal experiences and ultimately connect with their innate resilience. AEDP takes the stance that much of our current pain relates to experiences, particularly ones we have early in life, where we felt too alone with whatever emotions we needed to feel. A central part of the work is therefore about undoing aloneness and feeling emotions fully in the safe container of the therapeutic relationship. Processing these emotions to completion can open up new internal resources and provide clarity about who we are and what we want and need that may have previously felt elusive or blocked off.

DBT is a treatment developed to help people regulate their emotions more effectively and create lives that are more balanced and fulfilling through a combination of individual and skills training. I am certified in DBT by the Linehan Board of Certification.

I was previously the Associate Clinical Director of Columbus Park, an Intensive Outpatient and outpatient eating disorder treatment center. I completed a Masters-level internship at Columbia University’s inpatient Eating Disorder unit. I was previously a member of the DBT Team at the Center for Evidence Based Treatment, an Ohio-based practice that specializes in providing adherent DBT treatment, particularly for folks with eating disorders and sometimes co-ocurring conditions like mood disorders, trauma/PTSD, and suicidal thinking.