Today we’d like to introduce you to Elizabeth Weber.
Hi Elizabeth, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself
I was born and raised in west Houston, TX in a multicultural home with a Spanish mother and a Texan father. They met in their early adulthood while my Dad was studying abroad in Spain. My mother moved to the US to marry my father. I grew up in a very internationally focused home. My father always traveled internationally for work, my mother spoke to me in Spanish, and we would travel to Spain and many other countries growing up. My mother has the Spaniard tenacity, passion, and drive to survive. She certainly holds the attitude of “I’m going to make it no matter what” most likely because she had to when she first moved to the US, not speaking English, without a car, and in a strange, new land. My mother is also one of those people that can talk to anyone and make connections easily. In many ways I cultivated my determination, extroversion, and “scrappiness” from her. My father always valued professionalism, gaining knowledge, “doing the right thing”, international culture, history and politics, supporting his children, and humor. This was the soil that I was nurtured in. In high school, I wasn’t sure what I was interested in. I was hoping I’d like one of my subjects a whole bunch but it just never happened. Out of all the basics I knew I liked science, specifically environmental science, but I was not passionate enough to want to major in it in college. I finally took AP Psychology and realized I was good at it because I was so intrigued and learning it came naturally to me.
Texas A&M University, College Station, is where I ended up for college. I managed to finish my psychology degree in 3 years after learning that although I enjoyed Texas A&M the university, College Stations was just not the best town “fit” for me. I needed to get out to a bigger city. I continued to grow in my love of psychology each class I took, and I found a mentor that was able to help me understand which career was “where you sit in on the couch and talk to people.” I learned that was therapy and I applied to St. Edward’s University for my Masters because I heard Austin was a fun city. It was the first time I’d ever “winged it” in my life, moved to a new city, and didn’t take anyone’s advice or input. I did not know anyone in Austin or have any idea what St. Edward’s was like, and boy was that the best decision I ever made for myself!
I completed my Master of Arts at St. Edward’s University three years after moving to Austin. Those three years were some of the best of my life. I was having such a good time in Austin, slowly building my social group from scratch, trying new things, going to new places, building my confidence, and growing personally and professionally in my counseling program that was really feeding my soul. I became the President of the Marriage and Family Therapy Student Association and started connecting professionally with others in the community. I became involved with the Texas Association for Marriage and Family Therapy Conference Committee for 4 years. I met so many “big name” speakers and professionals, from Esther Perel to Harville Hendrix. I graduated in 2014 and completed my post-graduate internship at a local MHMR and a group private practice in San Marcos. All the while I was volunteering as a Board Director at a local non-profit, Austin IN Connection. I finally finished my post-graduate internship for both of my licenses, LPC and LMFT, and I was super happy, it felt like a huge milestone. I was also exhausted at the time, I was working long days with clients back to back and driving 45 minutes to and from work. I had to keep working several years after achieving full licensure to help save up for a private practice. When the pandemic hit in 2020, I decided it was time to take the leap and venture off to start my own practice, Therapy Time, PLLC. At the same time, I became the President of Austin IN Connection. Starting to see a trend of always having a lot on my plate…right?
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Oh gosh is it ever smooth?! No way, I don’t think you can grow without change and I don’t think you can change without loss. Also, facing fear is a part of growth. Naturally, these are all part of my evolving journey. I’ve always been the type who found value in doing things you’re afraid of or taking a risk, sometimes when it comes to fear you just have to “do it” without thinking too much. Sink or swim. Shoutout to my mom for this. I give credit to the adventurer in me for all fears I’ve faced, but sometimes my curiosity, go-getter, and determined attitude have led me to some struggle points along my journey.
I’ve trusted people that showed themselves to be untrustworthy and learned to be more careful with who I build my trust with. I think this is an inevitable lesson that everyone has to learn but it doesn’t make it hurt any less when it happens. My health had taken a huge downturn for a couple of years because I and what my environment was asking of me, was putting too much stress on my body. I feel for interns and associate therapists, you really don’t have many choices financially and overall on where you complete your post-graduate internship. Also, no one teaches you in graduate school how to start and save for a business – which boggles my mind since that’s one of the main career paths therapists take. Now, I am really mindful of where I spend my energy and internal resources because, man, as you get older they really get limited! I’ve learned what my body needs and enjoys and what it doesn’t. Now my health issues have a very minimal presence in my life since I’ve made big changes to take better care of myself. Lessons learned!
I’ve also had a smaller support system in the second half of my twenties. Working in small towns/long hours (45 minutes away from where I lived) for 6 years was very isolating and didn’t give me much time or energy to build new relationships or to pour into existing friendships. I now work where I live and it’s been wonderful re-connecting with my support system with renewed effort (…without haste, cue knowing my resources and having an attitude of abundance).
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Sure – let’s see, I really enjoy working with those in their 20’s and 30’s. There are many common issues that arise during this time including imposter syndrome, perfectionism, anxiety that manifests in many forms, managing shame, building social skills, stress management in graduate school, cultivating relationships and addressing relational patterns that get in the way of connection, deepening connection with a partner, grief and loss, new to parenthood, transitions in life, and finding your way in the workplace/career. What sets me apart from others. This is a tricky question because we have some amazing therapists in the Austin community and the things I love the most about myself are also present in the people I care for and value in the therapy community too. I value authenticity, humor, strive to be in tune with evolving science and knowledge, and have learned to create really great boundaries. I am trained in Interpersonal Neurobiology, Attachment Science, Family Systems, and Parts Work. These are all fancy words for “I’ve taken the time and effort to really, deeply understand connection and disconnection, and the human experience, in all forms.” Of course, actually being in the room with clients for 7 years has taught me things that training alone cannot. I have field experience from many different settings, seen all types of clients from very different demographic, race, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic backgrounds. My clients describe me as someone who is easy to talk with, kind, and passionate about the science that I teach.
I am most proud of having an attitude of optimism and abundance despite the difficulties in my journey. I am proud of opportunities I have taken that were challenging– being in leadership roles, helping run a conference for many years, being trained in the Gottman method (all three levels), starting a business from scratch, and somehow making it through grueling internship years with my confidence intact. I am proud of the relationships I’ve maintained and the people I’ve connected with in the therapy community.
What’s next?
My plans for the future are very open to what evolves within me. It usually works out better that way rather than feeling like I need a goal. I do want to continue providing quality counseling to clients. I do plan on investing in specialized long-term training related to Interpersonal Neurobiology, possibly Internal Family Systems, but I’m not sure quite yet if that’s the one I’ve settled on. I also hope to start a therapist book club within the next year so that I can start getting through some of the books I’ve been collecting on my nightstand. Working on nurturing my professional and personal connections as well!
Pricing:
- Aetna – in network
- $145 – Private Pay
- Sliding Scale spots available upon request
Contact Info:
- Email: eweber@therapytimeaustin.com
- Website: www.therapytimeaustin.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therapytimeaustin/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/therapytimeaustin
