Elisabeth T. Lilja
[she/they] MSW LCSW RYT
Therapeutic Focus: Eating Responses (Disorders) :: Attachment Trauma or Complex Trauma :: PTSD:: Neurodiversity (ADHD + Autism + AuDHD) :: Body Dissatisfaction :: Negative Body Perception + Image :: OCD :: Self-harm :: Anxiety :: Identity Work + Exploration
I Work With: Individuals :: Groups :: Clinical Supervision
Read the Bio
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, negative self-perception, and late in life awareness of Neurodiversity (both ADHD, Autism and AuDHD).
I am an Attachment Based, Somatic Practitioner, EMDR trained, and IFS (Internal Family Systems) informed.
For over 20 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 dog (Bodhi) and cat (Sal).
Ali Kelleher
[she/her] CMHC
Therapeutic Focus: Eating Responses (Disorders) :: Attachment Trauma or Complex Trauma :: PTSD:: Neurodiversity (ADHD + Autism + AuDHD) :: Relational Struggles :: Addiction :: Anxiety :: Depression :: Self-Esteem :: Identity Work + Exploration :: Substance Use
I Work With: Individuals :: Couples :: Families :: Groups
Read the Bio
Hi, I’m Ali, and I'm glad you're here! I am continuously in awe of individuals making the brave choice to step into a vulnerable and new space. I understand the self-doubt that often accompanies the decision to trust your intuition to try and work towards change, and I deeply respect the courage it takes to prioritize your needs in this way.
I believe all humans have an imperative need to feel seen, understood, and held, but unfortunately we don't always feel that way. Whether it feels too scary, too vulnerable, or like no one’s truly listening, I am here to create a space that welcomes it. As a trauma-informed and attachment therapist, I believe this is where healing happens. I typically assume that most people have experiences, old or new, that impact the way they view themselves and the world around them. Some may not be ready to unpack that right away, while others are ready to jump right in---I am here to meet you where you're at. In our work together, we will prioritize moving at an intentional pace, aimed at exploring protective patterns that have developed over time and work towards building self-understanding, groundedness and improved relationship with self and others. I support clients through traditional talk therapy, exploring protective patterns (self harm, inner criticism, eating patterns, addiction, etc.), somatic work, Emotion-Focused Couples or Family Therapy, or EMDR. As a therapist I am open, compassionate, and value giving honest feedback to shift old patterns when needed.
I have experience working with individuals from many diverse backgrounds. What I find most meaningful in this work is the relationship, not the diagnosis or the setting in which I have seen them. It's a privilege to witness people in their authentic, unguarded selves and support their journey toward self-acceptance. My favorite work with couples happens when partners step out of the negative cycle that prevents secure attachment, allowing them to finally reconnect through vulnerability and trust–--healing attachment wounds and old stories through new connection. Similarly, families that heal from past wounds and experiences when they identify the roles and cycles preventing connection and build a stronger, safer relationship with one another.
I specialize in supporting individuals, couples, and families navigating trauma, relationship challenges, attachment wounds, and identity exploration. I have experience working with mood disorders, personality disorders, suicidal ideation and self-harm, disordered eating, and body image struggles. I enjoy working with adults, relationships and families, and as a queer person myself, I feel passionate about working with the LGBTQIA+ community. I affirm all relationship types, including the kink and ethical non-monogamy community and I am sex-positive. I'm trained in EMDR and Emotion-Focused Couples and Family therapy. I utilize Internal Family Systems and somatic approaches, and DBT/CBT skills.
I have a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and a bachelor's in Psychology with a minor in Spanish.
I feel most connected with myself when I am outdoors, as I find nature to be the most healing tool I have. When not working as a therapist, I do my best to enjoy things like skiing, climbing, biking, fishing and backpacking. I will never grow tired of dancing with friends! I find a lot of joy in various art forms, and playing music. I love to travel when I can, and I also deeply value a slow night cuddled up with my cat!
Steph Cooper
[she/her] MFT Intern
Therapeutic Focus: Eating Responses (Disorders) :: Attachment Trauma or Complex Trauma :: PTSD:: Neurodiversity (ADHD + Autism + AuDHD) :: Anxiety :: Depression :: Relational Issues:: Self-Esteem :: Identity Work + Exploration:: Grief Work :: Substance Use :: Addiction
I Work With: Individuals :: Couples :: Families :: Groups
Read the Bio
Hello! I am Steph Cooper, Salt City Therapy’s newest Intern Therapist. I am truly glad you are here and considering therapy.
Life can be challenging----personally, within relationships, and in the larger world around us. Therapy can offer a space where you can slow down, feel supported, and reconnect with yourself and others. I hold the belief that people are not always the problem, rather, challenges often arise from the patterns and protective responses that take shape within relationships. I believe our inner world is deeply relational and shapes how we show up in our daily lives. Together, we can explore these inner and outer experiences in a collaborative, respectful, and non-judgmental space.
In our work together, I aim to provide a space that is grounded in the belief that connection, compassion, and hope are powerful forces for change. Shame often shows up as a harsh inner voice, self-criticism, people-pleasing, perfectionism, withdrawal, or feeling “not enough.” Instead of trying to push those parts away, we will gently slow down and get curious about them. We might explore questions like: When did this pattern first become necessary? What was it protecting you from? How has it helped you survive, even if it is no longer serving you now? In our work together, this might look like noticing what happens in your body during certain conversations, identifying triggers, naming protective parts of you, and practicing new ways of responding with more choice and self-compassion. Alongside learning to approach each behavior with understanding, I recognize that behaviors often develop for meaningful reasons. Because many of our struggles are shaped within relationships, we will also explore the relationship patterns that may be keeping you stuck in protection or isolation rather than connection. Together, we can begin to build safer, more secure ways of relating—to yourself and to others.
As both a person and therapist, I value authenticity, accountability, and ongoing self-growth. Therapy can be a deeply vulnerable process. Because of this, I believe trust is essential to meaningful therapy and understand that building trust takes time. I approach each therapeutic relationship with patience and a genuine desire to understand your worldview.
I specialize in relational and systemic work. I am Internal Family Systems (IFS) informed and fully Eye Movement and Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) trained May 2026. I work with teens, young adults, and adults experiencing: grief, relationship stress, life transitions, identity exploration, the impacts of past experiences, and feeling like too much or not enough. My clinical specialties include attachment trauma, complex trauma, anxiety, depression, family therapy, couples therapy, relational issues, eating responses (disorders), self-esteem, identity work or self-discovery, grief work, and substance abuse.
I hold a Bachelor of Science in Biology and expect to complete my master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy Spring 2027.
Outside of therapy, I focus on nurturing my relationships with my husband, dog, family, friends, and nature, while also working on caring for my own well-being, which includes cooking, baking, knitting, reading, and spending time outdoors.