Learn more about me and my practice.
I’m Liz Ahlbrand, a somatic counselor and expressive arts therapist, and founder of Creative Being.
Throughout my life, it has often been a struggle to find wellness support that is inclusive of all the parts of me, where I feel safe, respected, and seen. When experiencing pain, illnesses, and anxiety, I would go from specialist to specialist trying to find out what was happening to me, but would be told “you’re perfectly healthy,” offered medications with terrible side effects, or, worst of all, advised to simply choose not to get stressed (easier said than done, huh?). No one saw the big picture, and no one could tell me the root of my distress.
As a feminine-presenting, queer, and neurodivergent person, asking for help felt even harder. I faced microaggressions, stereotyping, and just plain ignorance on the part of healthcare providers. I felt all alone in my overwhelm and hopelessness.
Thankfully, I eventually was able to connect with a psychotherapist who took a holistic view of my situation, helping me understand how my physical and emotional landscapes were interwoven, and affirming my identities and experiences. As a lifelong musician, dancer, actor, and artist, I also started using the arts intentionally for my own healing. The result was so profound that I changed careers, becoming a licensed counselor and expressive arts therapist.
Creating a fulfilling life is possible – and it starts with you getting the support you need and deserve. Finding a therapist who “gets” you can be one piece of the puzzle. Please explore my website to learn more about me, how I practice, what therapy together would be like, and more.
- To learn more about who I work with, the therapies I offer, and your investment, visit my Therapy page.
- To schedule an appointment, learn about the in-person therapy space, or contact me for general questions, visit my Contact page.
- For answers to common therapy questions, see the FAQs page.
- For mental health and community resources, visit Resources.
- To read more about practical mental health exercises, specific issues you can work on in therapy, interesting therapies, research, thought-pieces, and more, head to Stories.
My Education and Credentials
Limited License Counselor (LLC), License #6451024964.
Note: Despite the word “limited,” LLCs can perform all aspects of mental health care from assessment and diagnosis to treatment. An LLC licensee is simply acquiring clinical work hours under supervision before their license transitions to Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). Read more about the perks of working with LLCs on my blog.
Master of Science in Counseling, Specialization in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Emphasis in Somatic Counseling | Prescott College
Post-Graduate Certificate in Expressive Arts Therapy | Prescott College
Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance | Western Michigan University
Clinical Experience
I have worked in community mental health settings with people in recovery from trauma and addiction, those experiencing mood disorders (anxiety, depression, bipolar), grief, self-esteem issues, relationship challenges, major life transitions, chronic pain, ADHD, and more. The people I saw in therapy also encountered systemic barriers, such as homelessness, unemployment, and discrimination based on their race, gender, or sexual orientation. I utilized harm reduction, motivational interviewing, mindfulness-based CBT, somatic and expressive arts therapies, culturally-meaningful approaches, and social justice advocacy models to help clients address systemic issues and connect with community resources.
A Personal Note
Bringing culturally sensitive and personally tailored care to each individual is of the utmost importance to me; your goals, beliefs, and values will always be at the heart of our collaboration. We will always find differences and similarities between us, but sometimes it can be helpful to learn more about your therapist’s personal identity, too.
Some of my identity pieces include identifying as queer (bisexual and gender non-conforming, preferred pronouns are they/them), neurodivergent (a highly sensitive person, or HSP, with sensory processing sensitivities), and someone with a lived experience of chronic pain and illness, disability, and mental health care. I am a multipassionate, multidisciplinary artist who finds solace and inspiration within the woods and lakes. I am enthused by science, philosophy, spirituality, astrology, and cool rocks. One dream of mine is to travel to every continent and befriend every cat I come across along the way. Lastly, I think laughter and fun are deeply healing, so you can expect some humor and playfulness with me as your counselor.
Creative Being Therapy 