Get to Know Elizabeth Neal
How did I get into this career?
Learning about human behavior and working with children has been a passion and pursuit of mine since high school. Psychology was the class I looked forward to taking more than any other. After receiving my bachelor’s degree in Psychology, my first “official” job in the field was at Boston Children's Hospital's Inpatient Psychiatric Unit. I learned so much about myself, about professional careers in mental health, and about how today's current healthcare system works.
I then pursued a master’s degree in Social Work. While at Smith, one of the last classes I took was Neurobiology. This was life changing for me! Various Psychoanalytic Theories have always seemed to make sense to me, but being able to root this in “actual science” was so exciting. I did a deep dive into how our external environment influences our internal environment and came to the conclusion that I wanted to practice therapy somewhere that acknowledges the person as a whole and not as parts of a whole. I wanted to work somewhere that incorporates various holistic practices and that would support my journey in working with clients from an integrative approach. When I moved to Georgia from Massachusetts, this is what I was looking for. I’m thankful to have found Atlanta Wellness Collective!
What is my favorite thing about counseling?
My favorite part about counseling is how the relationship unfolds between myself and my clients. The therapeutic relationship has so much potential! It could become the vehicle for radical transformation, a tool for self-acceptance, it can break generational trauma patterns, and it’s the safe space to accept hard truths with no judgment through deep empathy. This is where the fun is for me! It’s humbling to be able to walk with someone on their wellness journey where they discover they have more power and more control over how they show up in the world than they ever knew before.
What do I like to do when I’m not at Atlanta Wellness Collective?
I love spending time with my husband and children. We love spending time outdoors and using our imaginations, whether it be on a hike, at the playground or in our neighborhood. I love reading and listening to podcasts. Learning about the inner workings of the human body and its amazing, innate ability to heal itself is fascinating to me. I also really love music and spontaneous dance parties!
What do I hope for my clients?
I hope my clients feel safe and comfortable enough in my presence to unpack everything they need to during our time together. My hope is they feel seen, heard, empowered and validated. I want them to repair attachment trauma from long ago that will enable them to show up in relationships with others as their true authentic self. My hope is they will gain confidence and acceptance in who they are, and where they are at in their lives.
Request an appointment via telehealth or in person in Acworth with Elizabeth.
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