Elizabeth Orthmann (she/her)

Attachment Theory

My attachment work goes far beyond early childhood attunement. I specialize in navigating attachment disruptions caused by parental loss, trauma, foster care, and adoption, as well as instances where a parent’s own mental health challenges impact the relationship. Grounded in infant mental health theories I help families repair. We focus on the caregiving relationship as the primary source for a child to feel safe, seen, soothed and secure.

Experiential

Children process their world through play, and toys are their words. I utilize experiential models to meet youth exactly where they are developmentally, drawing on my four levels of advanced training from the Center for Sand Tray Play. By using sand trays, miniatures, art, and children's literature, I help clients externalize complex internal struggles. This interactive approach offers teens, young adults, and parents a completely new angle to see what is stuck and safely untangle it.

Family Systems

I do not view a child’s challenges in a vacuum; youth are deeply connected to their family ecosystem. In my practice, the family system is the primary vehicle for healing. I partner closely with parents to decode behaviors and alter stressful family dynamics. By shifting the patterns and communication within the home, we build a supportive structure that ensures sustainable, lifelong change, resilience, and mutual growth for both the parent and the child.

Mindfulness-based

I incorporate mindfulness practices directly into the structure and consistency of our sessions to promote active, in-the-moment nervous system regulation. Grounded in Polyvagal Theory, this intentional pacing increases therapeutic outcomes while we are together and helps both parent and child build predictable, concrete practices. Rather than just discussing stress, we actively practice shifting out of survival mode, equipping your family with tools to use between sessions at home.

Relational 

A compassionate therapeutic relationship is the primary vehicle for change. While I utilize highly specialized modalities—including Child-Parent Psychotherapy (CPP) and Therapeutic Life Story Work—I never sacrifice deep rapport with the family for a rigid protocol. I partner with you to bear the weight of life's hardest chapters, ensuring you feel deeply seen, heard, and supported as we untangle complex histories and build a safe pathway forward together.

Adoption Issues

Healing from foster care, adoption, or early developmental trauma requires a specialized, relational approach. With a decade of experience explicitly serving foster and adoptive youth, I help families process complex histories and build secure bonds. My work is anchored by Child-Parent Psychotherapy (CPP) and Richard Rose’s Life Story Work. I partner with caregivers to create a safe narrative, helping your family bear the weight of hard past chapters so you can safely move forward together.

Parenting

I hold a post-graduate Clinical Practice Certificate from The Harris Institute, focusing on infant mental health, DC:0-5™ assessment, and reflective consultation. My foundation is enriched by seminars with pioneers like Drs. Weston, Albrecht, Slade, Shahmoon Shanok, Azzi, and Zeanah. For parents navigating a fussy baby, behavioral outbursts, toddler fears, or parenting strategy confusion, we will work together to decode what your child is communicating and find a sustainable path.

Anxiety

When youth experience overwhelming anxiety or dysregulation, traditional talk therapy often falls short because big feelings live in the body. I utilize brain-body, somatic modalities rooted in Polyvagal Theory and Collaborative Problem Solving. By teaching practical, mindfulness-based regulation tools, I help youth identify automatic fight, flight, or freeze responses. We move past the frustration of behavioral meltdowns so your child can find their calm and regain control.

Adjustment Disorder

Transitions like relocating or starting a new school can disrupt a young person's security. I support toddlers through young adults using co-created social stories, visual transition plans, photos, and play alongside Family Systems and Narrative frameworks. I don't believe we just close a chapter; it's about understanding how a transition fits into your life story—discovering what we take with us, what we learn, what we leave behind, and how we grow.