I’m Elisabeth Hand, a clinical psychology postdoctoral fellow with over seven years of experience working in community mental health. At the heart of my work is a belief that therapy isn’t just about feeling better, it’s about reconnecting with your own power and living in alignment with your values. I have experienced that real change happens when we feel safe enough to tell the truth, without shame or fear, and I work to build that kind of space with every client. My work has centered around trauma recovery, grief, gender-affirming care, and culturally responsive healing. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of supporting individuals navigating complex trauma, identity development, and the deeply personal work of reintegration after loss or life transition. I bring a special focus to working with women and LGBTQ+ clients, and I’m passionate about removing barriers to gender-affirming care—because access to care is a right, not a privilege.

My style is warm and collaborative, with a readiness to sit with conflict and complexity. I draw from psychodynamic theory, trauma informed therapies (CPT and PE), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), while integrating feminist and liberation psychologies. Depending on your needs and preference, I might incorporate narrative work, mindfulness, expressive arts, and eco-therapy. I hold a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Fielding Graduate University. My training included specialized rotations at the Portland VA in PTSD, Women and Gender Diverse Mental Health, and Health Psychology. I’ve worked in crisis response after mass community traumas, led community-based wellness initiatives, offered regular support in women’s shelters, and provided long-term outpatient therapy across a range of settings and diagnoses. Before becoming a psychologist, I was a Board-Certified Music Therapist—yes, I used to prescribe drum circles—and I still carry that creative spirit into my work.

When I’m not in session, you can find me hiking Pacific Northwest trails, supporting expressive arts and environmental initiatives, or taste-testing my way through Portland’s breweries and wineries. I live with my husband and our “diva dog” Daisy—a grumpy but lovable rescue who believes she runs the household (she’s not wrong). I believe humor, joy, rest, and creativity are essential ingredients to life and healing—for both my clients and myself.