Elisabeth T. Lilja
[she/they] MSW LCSW RYT
Therapeutic focus: Eating Responses (Disorders):: Body Dissatisfaction :: Negative Body Perception :: Attachment Trauma or Complex Trauma :: Self-harm :: OCD :: Anxiety
Hello! I am so glad you're here, exploring if therapy is a step you might want to take.
I’m Elisabeth, the founder and owner of Salt City Therapy. As a therapist, and human, I believe we hold our stories, beliefs, and experiences in our bodies which can impact our perception of self, and ability to be in trust and connection with ourselves and our body. This can translate into patterns and behaviors that may not serve you the way they once did; even if it might feel a bit scary to consider not using them.
I aim to foster a space in therapy that invites room for curiosity, security, and also bravery in order to encourage a deeper and more compassionate connection with yourself. Real talk---this can feel incredibly challenging if self-criticism and judgment is more familiar.
In our work together we will explore what it might be like to be in feeling over dissociation, or disconnection from feelings. We will look at what it might mean to respond versus react when triggered and seeking safety through a coping mechanism (ex: binging, purging, or self-harm). We will explore what it might look like to be in connection over disconnection, trust ourselves rather than defaulting to self-doubt, meet who we are over who we might have learned to be in order to stay safe, accepted, and loved; ultimately connecting, or reconnecting with our bodies and ourselves.
I specialize in working with both young adults and adults who are experiencing never feeling enough, sometimes resulting in perfectionism, or continue to or have experienced: the eating response spectrum (eating disorders—-I don’t like the pathologizing language of disorders) from a Health At Every Size perspective, body dissatisfaction + perception struggles, self-harming behaviors, trauma, attachment trauma, complex trauma, OCD, and negative self-perception.
I am an Attachment Based, Somatic Practitioner, EMDR trained, and IFS (Internal Family Systems) informed.
For over 17-years I have taught yoga and meditation as a way for people to connect with their body. In our work together I use a mind-body approach to therapy, meaning traditional talk therapy through a Psychodynamic lens in addition to a Somatic/Nervous System approach in order to invite a greater awareness of self, body, and our responses.
I hold a Bachelors of Science in both Gender Studies, and Sociology, in addition to a Masters in Social Work.
Aside from my work as a therapist, I am a lover of butter (it is a core value of mine), breve chai lattes, the Utah desert, digging in the garden, riding bikes, swinging on swings, baking cookies, eating cookies, time outside, and reading a book in a cuddle pile of my two dogs (Bodhi and Cholula) and cat (Poppy).
Natalie Montañez
[she/they] MA ACMHC
Therapeutic focus: Black-BIPOC community :: Substance Use :: Complex Trauma :: Racial Identity :: Eating Responses :: Depression
Brie Gonzalez
[she/her] ACMHC
Therapeutic focus: Black-BIPOC community :: Attachment Trauma or Complex Trauma :: PTSD :: Racial Identity :: Anxiety :: Eating Responses :: OCD
Who could you be if you were able to manage your emotions skillfully and without self-criticism?
The fact that you are reading these words right now tells me you’re on the path toward discovering the answer to that question. It takes strength to seek support and I am so happy you have found yourself here.
Hi, I’m Brie.
I specialize in working with self-identified “people pleasers” who experience low self-esteem, high self-criticism, and a struggle to feel connected to themselves and others. Whether you learned these responses from societal messaging or as a result of traumatic experiences, I am here to support you in developing the skills you need to feel more empowered in yourself, your connections, and your choices.
As a therapist, I am person-centered, somatic based, attachment-informed and EMDR trained. I am committed to understanding your unique internal emotional process, addressing the emotional responses you experience in your body, and exploring the quality of relationships throughout your life and how they impact your connections today.
I operate from the following beliefs:
- People have the capacity to grow and thrive when they safe and valued.
- Our minds and body are delicately connected and too often we lose sight of how to bridge the two together.
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We are all doing the best we can with the skills we have.
In my office, I offer a space free from judgment and criticism (I imagine you already give yourself hefty amounts of these things!) and aim to support you with loving-kindness and compassion. I strive to help you build self-understanding, self-trust and an increased ability to ride the waves of emotions that we can often get lost in. This process requires vulnerability, consistency, and a willingness to get messy. Healing is not linear. During our time together, we will experience the ebbs and flows of your anxiety, stress, frustration and successes.
As a human, I am just like you; flawed, imperfect, and striving for a life of joy and fulfillment. I seek happiness through connection with people, nature, and delicious food. When I’m not in my therapist-chair, you can find me enjoying live music, exploring the vast desert and mountains via bike, skis or feet, or snuggled up reading a book or watching ample amounts of HBO.