My Biography

Elizabeth Wolfson, PhD., LCSW, is a licensed practicing psychotherapist in Santa Barbara, California who has been in clinical practice for over three decades. Dr. Wolfson focuses on helping others optimize creativity, gain self-awareness, improve relationships, and overcome challenges including, recognizing how past events and trauma may interfere with personal and professional growth. She has also served as consultant to organizations and corporations and provides coaching to executives and others in leadership, as well as helping individuals in career transition and in developing work-life balance. Her seminars and groups on “Creating the Life you Seek,” and “Optimizing your Creative Potential,” provide processes, and tools for self-discovery towards designing one’s future, to enhance well-being and life satisfaction.

Dr. Wolfson is also Faculty and Director of Somatic Psychotherapy Specializations at Antioch University Santa Barbara. She previously served as Director of Women and Leadership Certificate Program and as Chair of the Master’s in Clinical Psychology Program at Antioch for nearly seven years. Prior to that, Dr. Wolfson taught at Columbia University School of Social Work and was Clinical Director of family service agencies where she developed award winning projects focusing on creativity and resilience beyond trauma. Her career has been dedicated to empowering individuals and marginalized populations including, elders and their families. Dr. Wolfson was also project associate on two documentary films which screened at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival and, served as editor of the Psychotherapy section of allthingshealing.com.

Dr. Wolfson’s impetus for developing the study of Somatic Psychotherapy emerged from her recognition of the centrality of the body as a path towards wisdom and change along with the inseparable components we identify as mind and spirit. Her development of “Healthy Aging” studies, emanated from research and her observations regarding resilience and opportunities for creativity in later life.  The program garnered numerous awards due to its integrative, holistic perspective and its contribution towards filling a gap in practitioners with expertise in this arena. Dr. Wolfson was a co-founder of Santa Barbara Village, a membership organization supporting elders and their families in their homes. She is an active community volunteer, having served as Vice President of Professional Development on the Board of the National Association of Social Workers, Santa Barbara Chapter and currently serving on the Board of Directors of Santa Barbara CAMFT (California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists).

Dr. Wolfson’s publications and presentations have explored areas which tend to arise in her practice as central to concerns of living including;  life transition, depression, anxiety, grief, compulsions, relationships, career, trauma, and other issues with goals of supporting each individual’s unique creative potential for being an activist in their own life and in relation to personal transformation.  As a seasoned professional with years of experience in research, teaching, and clinical practice, Dr. Wolfson provides integrative presence-centered therapeutic support to enable others to access and follow the path to well-being.

Check out her recent work: Dr. Wolfson Launches First Somatic Psychotherapy Field Study in Costa Rica

Client Testimonials

“The work we have done together changed my life. My career and all of my relationships including with my husband, have grown in so many positive ways, as a result.”
– N.L.

“As a creative (writer) I was immobilized in my process, procrastinating and avoiding while frustrated about what I wasn’t achieving. Working with Dr. Wolfson helped me identify where and why I was holding myself back. I am already seeing my success pay off.”
– R.A.

“When I came to therapy, I was in deep grief from a major relationship loss and could not find my way out. Dr. Wolfson’s support and understanding helped me work through this time of my life to emerge as a stronger, happier and more compassionate person.
– L.S.

“The retreat was a monumental experience for me. It helped me see where I was stuck and offered me the tools to make significant changes. I am a happier and healthier person for it with lifelong tools for whatever is ahead.”
– V.D.