When I was a kid, my English teacher mom offered me five dollars for every classic book I read. What began as a way to earn pocket money became a lifelong love of stories. I devoured books of every kind and eventually majored in literature in college. The language of stories became my teacher, showing me how to understand myself, connect with others, and make sense of the world.

As I grew, I found myself drawn to the stories of others. I carried an insatiable curiosity to understand people and to bear witness to the unfolding of their lives, their past, present, and future. That calling eventually led me to pursue a degree in counseling.

For more than a decade, I’ve had the privilege of walking alongside individuals, couples, and families as they navigate both the pain and the beauty within their stories. Through therapy, I’ve witnessed the profound ways people come to see themselves and their relationships anew.  I’ve come to believe that the greatest hurt and healing both happen in relationships with others.  In my work as a therapist, I hold hope and compassion for clients as they learn to do the same for themselves. I’m constantly in awe of how our brains and bodies can adapt, heal, and grow. My training includes EMDR, Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy, and the Gottman Method.

Outside the therapy room, I love exploring new places with my husband, our three kids, and our fluffy dog, Waffles. I find joy in good novels, smooth cups of coffee, the ASMR of my beehives, long dinner parties and competitive games with friends.

I can be reached at lizcolizza@stl-ccc.org.