Meet Elizabeth Driscoll!
We recently welcomed Elizabeth Driscoll, LMHC to our Monroe and Middletown offices! Elizabeth whole-heartedly believes in the concept of “Feel then Heal” and is currently accepting new clients. Elizabeth leans towards a combination of CBT, DBT and Solution-Focused modalities and enjoys partnering with adolescent and adult clients. She has a specialty certification in Accelerated Resolution Therapy, which allows her to help people rapidly move beyond trauma to find balance in their life.
Elizabeth in her own words…
What is the most important thing you have learned in the last five years?
The power of self-compassion. In the moment when things are stressful, I try to take a moment breathe, and remind myself that I am trying my best, and that I am doing a good job. A little self-compassion can go a long way. Guilt has never gotten anyone very far!
What is your favorite part about working for Nourish Your Mind?
I love how obvious it is that everyone here truly loves their job! It feels amazing to be surrounded by people who are clearly as passionate about their work as I am! I love getting a moment to actually see and talk with a fellow clinician!
Tell me how you first got involved in with Mental Health…
I tend to think that most people in this field have dealt with their own struggles with mental health, and I am no exception. I learned so much from overcoming my own adversity, and after reading an article that focused on resilience for my first grad school assignment, I knew I had found my true passion and calling.
How would you describe your style as a Therapist?
I am all about getting down deep in the feeling, and then brainstorming ways of living our best lives. I think the most important thing someone can do is first really feel all those feelings that we tend to want to shove away. Then once we have spent some true time with them, we can take a breath and ask ourselves, how we want to feel and what the heck we can do to get there. First, we Feel then, we Heal!
What do you feel makes you unique as a Mental Health Counselor?
I think I have a unique ability to really gain an understanding of where a client is coming from. Someone else’s idea of a life worth living may differ completely then mine, and that’s OK because as a clinician my feelings are irrelevant, it’s all about the client.
Motto or personal mantra?
It’s okay to be who I am, and feel exactly how I am feeling.
What would you tell someone who is thinking about seeking counseling services for the first time?
Don’t be afraid to be honest about what’s working and what isn’t. Therapy is a place where you absolutely don’t need to pretend to be OK or worry about being polite, it’s a place where being completely uncensored is 100% accepted and is actually encouraged!
What do you do when you aren’t working?
On nice days, I can be found walking on The Walkway Over the Hudson, walking around small towns, and going into little shops, or reading outside on my deck. On rainy or snowy days, I love watching movies, binge watching the Golden Girls, reading by the window, and planning (sometimes imaginary) Disney Vacations.
What is an ability you wish you had?
I would love to be able to poke around inside people’s minds. I am completely fascinated by the fact that we can all be looking at/experiencing the same thing and perceive it completely differently. So, if I were able to see in other’s minds, I could see things the way they do.
If you were an animal what would you be? And why?
I think I’d like to be a snail. Number one, I love the look of them, and number two, I tend to like to go at my own pace.
What children’s character can you relate with most? And why?
Frog and Toad from (Frog and Toad are Friends, Frog and Toad Together, and Frog and Toad All Year). I can’t pick just one, because I totally relate to them both depending on the moment. I think it’s sometimes super important to sit around grumpy and acknowledge how much a situation truly sucks just like Toad tends to do. But, at some point it’s important I simply take a breath, think like Frog, and problem solve my next best step. I actually have a tattoo of them on my arm, not only does it just make me smile, but it also reminds me that both Frog Moods and Toad Moods are Perfectly OK!