Elizabeth Zarka

 Associate marriage and family therapist

You hit a point in life where the old stops working—old ways of coping with stress and pain, old ways of relating to others, and old scripts about who you are, what you want, and why you’re here. This feeling of misalignment from your authentic, whole self could be emerging after a traumatic event or a major life change. Or maybe versions of this feeling of unease have been present for a while. Maybe even a lifetime.

I understand the deep and often urgent yearning for safety, coherence, and belonging that can come with experiencing overwhelming events and circumstances. I truly believe deep down we all have a sense of our personal path toward these things, even when we can’t quite see the way forward. It’s my great privilege and life’s passion to walk alongside my clients as they find their way.

Freedom is a north star in my work—the freedom to loosen the grip of shame and old patterns, to choose differently, and to create the life of our dreams instead of simply surviving. I recognize that the path toward greater freedom is not always linear or clear, and I believe my clients deserve a therapist who embraces the beautiful, messy complexity of being a human being. My style is gentle, depth-oriented, and largely non-directive. I welcome reflection upon all elements of the human experience, including the unconscious, somatic, emotional, cognitive, and spiritual. It is my belief that all parts are sources of wisdom, and all parts are welcome.

My clinical experience includes providing trauma-informed care to adolescent and adult survivors of sexual assault, intimate partner violence, and complex trauma, including folks shaped by difficult or unstable early relationships and family environments. I have supported clients navigating PTSD, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, and the many ways trauma can shape our relationships with ourselves and others.

I hold hope for those who have been wounded. I believe in our ability not just to survive, but to thrive in unexpected and profound ways–to open ourselves up once again to the richness of life. Together we’ll meet your memories and observations with an attitude of warmth, non-judgement, patience, and genuine curiosity. It is my goal to help you experience a sense of being deeply seen, heard, and accompanied as you walk your personal path to healing and beyond. 

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