Welcome to my practice. I hope to join with you on a journey towards new paths of healing, insight and meaning in your life. My hope is that the work we do together will expand your understanding of yourself and your relationships. Ultimately, to create a life with more ease and comfortability to express yourself in the world. All ages are welcome in my practice as well as couples and families.
Philosophy and Approach
I utilize a traditional approach to therapy. Relying on methods of attentive listening and mutual exploration of memories, values, experiences, images and insights to foster new perspective and change. Every individual has a natural inclination towards growth and healing that is activated through the therapeutic process. My years of experience have shown that therapy provides significant shifts that lead clients towards a deeper understanding of themselves and their relationships. This conscious awareness provides stability and contentment.
Additionally, I am trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing) to support clients with processing traumatic life experiences.
The social systems and structures of our society and culture influence our mental health. Cultural awareness and competence are highly valued in my practice. Exploring identity involves examining how the collective values and norms have impacted our lives. I seek to understand the lived experience of race and culture for all people while actively supporting movements of racial reconciliation, self-exploration, and abolishment of inhumane systems of oppression.
My hope is to create a comfortable and safe environment for you to share your struggles, hopes and desires.
Experience
Throughout my 25 years of experience in mental health, I have treated a vast array of mental health disorders. People of all ages have been a part of my clinical work. I have a working knowledge of resources that are available through mental health services and private institutions.
I have 15+ years of experience working with adolescents and young adults. Transitioning to adulthood is often a delicate and challenging time. A supportive presence is helpful to navigate the process of self discovery.
Over the years I received training in the following areas:
Anxiety Reduction, Grief and Loss, Addiction, Navigating Life Transitions, Child Psychotherapy, Adolescent Development, Conscious Parenting, Suicide Prevention, Spiritual Direction and Career Counseling.
I have served as Faculty member at Pacifica Graduate Institute since 2012; training students in Counseling Psychology, Clinical skills, Psycho-therapeutic Process, Family Systems, Career Development and Law and Ethics.
About Elisabeth
Elisabeth Gonella, M.A., L.M.F.T.,
Elisabeth is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist working in the mental health field for over 25 years and currently in private practice in Santa Barbara, California. She has expertise in working with adolescents and young adults which includes college-based counseling, private practice, wilderness based programs, emotional growth boarding schools and psychiatric hospital settings. She is experienced in acute psychiatric care and crisis management fostered by collaborative work in psychiatric care institutions.
Elisabeth is a Core Faculty member of Pacifica Graduate Institute, teaching primarily: Process of Psychotherapy, Clinical Practice, Law and Ethics and Career Development. She also serves as a thesis advisor for graduate student research for completion of Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology.
In recent years, Elisabeth is focusing on life transitions and community building by leading Mother/Daughter programs promoting ceremonial rites of passage, community choirs and collective grief tending.