Elizabeth A. Pearce, Psy.D. |
Elizabeth is a therapist with a heart for marriages and families (including yours!). She is currently a Postdoctoral Resident in Clinical Psychology at
Providence Behavioral Health, with offices in Lancaster and Leola, PA.
Elizabeth has a wide variety of experience as a family and marriage therapist and supervisor, and also enjoys providing individual and group therapy. Her doctoral dissertation research focused on the importance of hope and expectations in couples' communication and satisfaction, and especially as a focus for therapy. Elizabeth provides couples therapy that focuses on the emotional bond between partners, as well as on building communication and conflict-resolution skills. She views the family as a dynamic system in which the parents’ relationship is the foundation, and each individual influences the balance of the whole system.
In addition to her passion for marriages and families, Elizabeth also provides a warm, supportive environment for
individuals to explore their issues, and offers research-supported strategies
and techniques for managing mood and anxiety-related disorders in adolescents
and adults. She has seen past trauma, abuse, and relationship difficulties overlap consistently with current problems
in marriages, and research supports a link between abuse and problems
with intimate relationships. So, as a marriage therapist, Elizabeth sees it as her
job to be prepared to treat both!
Experiences of trauma and abuse
sometimes result in a disorder called Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
(PTSD), but many individuals experience symptoms of depression and/or anxiety. Elizabeth
treats mood and anxiety-related disorders (such as
depression, bipolar disorder, panic disorder, OCD, and PTSD) from a broad range of therapeutic
approaches. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) has strong research
support as an effective treatment for depression and anxiety, and forms
the basis of her treatment approach. She also uses Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), an approach shown to help individuals manage their emotions and relationships more effectively.
While her clinical work is rooted in psychological theory and empirical research, Elizabeth also practices within a Christian framework and believes that spiritual growth can be an important part of the healing process. Some clients desire to focus on spiritual issues in therapy, while others do not. Elizabeth accommodates each client's individual needs and preferences for spiritual integration. This is usually part of the intake session, where she discuss with clients their goals and desires for treatment.
Elizabeth’s current
certifications include Hope-Focused Couples Therapy (certified therapist) and
the Prepare/Enrich curriculum for premarital and marital assessment and
counseling. She is working toward licensure as a psychologist in
Elizabeth's Curriculum Vitae is available here, where you can view more information about her trainings and experiences.
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