My Biography

Elizabeth Wolfson, PhD., LCSW, is a licensed psychotherapist in Santa Barbara, California who has been in clinical practice for over three decades. In her private practice of psychotherapy in Santa Barbara California she provides individual couples and family counseling to people of all backgrounds presenting with a range of challenges including depression, anxiety, life transition, career and relationships.She also works with individuals who want to optimize psychedelic medicines by supporting their experiences (outside of therapy sessions). Dr. Wolfson has a passion for and expertise in helping others optimize creativity, gain self-awareness, improve relationships, and overcome personal and professional challenges. She has served as consultant to organizations, corporations, executive leaders and other individuals in career transition and in cultivating 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 trained in Psychedelic Assisted Therapy and Research, Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy and Integrative Somatic Trauma therapy. She is affiliated with Field Trip Health as Vice President of Clinical Services in overseeing Ketamine Assisted Therapy clinics and works closely with practitioners in this cutting edge approach to psychotherapeutic change.

Dr. Wolfson’s background includes serving as Faculty at Antioch University Santa Barbara from 2010-2021 in positions of Chair of the Master’s in Clinical Psychology Program, creator of the program in Healthy Aging which garnered numerous awards due to its integrative, holistic perspective. This lead her to develop Somatic Psychotherapy programs which she lead as Director of Somatic Specializations. She also served as Antioch’s Director of the Women in Leadership Certificate program. Prior to that Dr. Wolfson was a co-founder of Santa Barbara Village, a membership organization supporting elders and their families in their homes. Her academic career began at Columbia University School where she taught in the Graduate School of Social Work. Prior to academic she 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 developing programs and access to services for marginalized populations. 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.

Most recently Dr. Wolfson joined Field Trip Health, an international company focusing on integrative health and Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy, in the role of Vice President of Clinical Services. Dr. Wolfson’s impetus for engaging in this pioneering approach to treating anxiety, depression, trauma and other challenges, evolved from her work in Somatic Psychotherapy and its focus on the centrality of mind, body, spirit connection. 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  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 frequently presenting within her practice as central to concerns of living including;  psychedelic-supportive psychotherapy, life transition, depression, anxiety, trauma, grief, compulsions, relationships, career, and other issues. She works closely with client goals to support each individual’s unique creative potential for being an activist in their own life to meeting their potential.  As a seasoned professional with years of experience in research, teaching, and clinical practice, Dr. Wolfson provides presence-centered psychotherapy and integration of therapeutic psychedelic experiences to enable clients to access healing, creativity and well-being.

Check out her recent publication in the Journal of Psychedelic Studies:
“Psychedelic-supportive psychotherapy: A psychotherapeutic model for, before and beyond the medicine experience.”

https://akjournals.com/view/journals/2054/aop/article-10.1556-2054.2022.00192/article-10.1556-2054.2022.00192.xml

Here is information about her affiliation with Field Trip Health and Wellness
https://www.fieldtriphealth.com

Other previous affiliations:

/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.