Liz Coleclough, PhD, LICSW

I believe therapy is a pathway to enhance residency for those who have encountered trauma. My goal is to connect on a human level and build a partnership towards healing, recognizing strengths, and developing insight. I aim to help change the orientation for trauma survivors away from ‘what is wrong with me?’ and more towards identifying and healing from ‘what happened to me?’

I integrate trauma-specific therapies, such as Cognitive Processing Therapy and EMDR, within an environment grounded in collaboration, warmth, non-judgement, and humor. I customize my approach with each person, and I provide an affirming environment for clients of all religious, ethnic, racial, and socioeconomic backgrounds, as well as gender identities, and sexual orientations.

License, Education, and Experience

I am licensed in the State of Washington as a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) – LW.60940295

Master of Social Work – University of Maryland School of Social Work

PhD in Social and Behavioral Sciences – Johns Hopkins School of Public Health

Master of Public Health – Emory University, Rollins School of Public Health

Bachelor of Arts – Northwestern University

Prior to beginning PNW Trauma Therapy, I held a position for over 6 years as a non-profit Director of Counseling and Domestic Violence Services. Within this role, I provided direct care, as well as supervised a multi-disciplinary team (mental health therapists; DV advocates; DV attorney) focused on survivor-driven, trauma-informed support.

In addition, my clinical social work background includes supporting people experiencing homelessness, girls and women who have survived sexual assault / exploitation, and people living with HIV / AIDS.

My PhD dissertation focused on supporting two different non-profit agencies in integrating / enhancing ‘trauma-informed care’ as a central value in providing services. I have since provided multiple organizations and audiences training and consultation in building a trauma-informed lens to their work.

Online Therapy

At this time, services are available exclusively through online therapy. Therapy takes place via live video conferencing. This is accessible anywhere you have a private space with a computer or smartphone.

A virtual style of service delivery helps to overcome a number of barriers, including but not limited to:

  • (related to the COVID pandemic) concern around exposure to viral transmission

  • limited access to and / or cost of transportation

  • limited time to travel / commute

  • living in a rural community and / or far from healthcare options

  • limited mobility / access due to disability, or health-related concerns

  • limited options for childcare

Research is clear that online therapy is just as effective as in-person therapy. The safety and comfort of a home environment can help some clients be more open with providers. There are also certain therapy skills and tools that may be even more effective when clients can practice in personal spaces. The likelihood of missing a session is also greatly reduced – allowing for improved continuity of care.

When utilizing this service, it will be important to locate a comfortable and private space for engaging in virtual therapy. For my part, I utilize a HIPAA-compliant Zoom platform to ensure confidentiality and security around our sessions.

Here is a helpful checklist to prepare for smooth engagement in online therapy services: https://personcenteredtech.com/tmh/clients/

To learn more and get started with virtual therapy, please reach out.

Anti-Oppression Lens

Violence occurs in a world, based on the mythology that some people matter more than others; that some people deserve more power and control than others. This falsehood begins at a structural and societal level, and extends down to the interpersonal.

Domestic violence, sexual assault, and other forms of trauma exist because sexism and misogyny exists; because racism exists; because homophobia and transphobia exists; because other forms of discrimination and marginalization exist.

In order to take on a truly anti-violence stance, one must begin with anti-oppression. This means always looking at the broad societal landscape when understanding trauma, as well as advocating for change:

  • Uplifting the voices and experiences of people with different marginalized identities.

  • Consistently recognizing the impact of oppression on people’s lives, and working to reduce barriers.

  • Learning and understanding how marginalization shows up, not just around interpersonal violence, but in the law enforcement, judicial, medical, and social systems that are theoretically in place to combat this violence.

Therapist Self-Reflection

All practitioners must take on introspective reflection at their own dominant and marginalized identities when approaching this work.

As a gay woman, with Jewish heritage, my lived experience gives me a deep understanding of what it means to navigate sexism, homophobia, and antisemitism.

At the same time, I do not face the same dangers, threats, and barriers experienced among people of other racial minority backgrounds, different LGBTQ identities, or another form of marginalization. I have and continue to access resources and opportunities available to me, including the very education and training allowing me to do this work.

The work of anti-oppression is ongoing. I consider this lens central to our work together because it is the water we are all swimming in.