I have a passion for helping girls find their voices.
Elisabeth's clinical work and research has focused primarily on adolescent girls. Her main area of interest is in how cultural definitions of gender influence the development of girls and women. In addition to her work as a clinician, she is on the faculty of Dean College, where she teaches psychology. She and her husband have five children between the two of them, including a 15-year-old girl.
Giving girls a voice:
Elisabeth is particularly interested in the concept of "voice" in adolescent girls. As a therapist and educator, she's worked to develop the types of interventions that can help girls use their voices to participate actively and authentically in relationships with others.
Empowering young women to make better choices:
"When girls are given the chance to question society's beliefs about who they can and should be, to speak out about what they feel is right, and to make choices actively, I find that they often become healthier and happier, and certainly more empowered."
Why this cause is important to her:
"Too many girls and women in our society feel ashamed of their bodies and their sexuality and fall prey to the belief that the media's images of airbrushed perfection are real. They blame themselves for not measuring up and spend a lifetime feeling hopelessly flawed. Too many girls feel they have no one who they can safely and comfortably turn to for information about their bodies' development. For these reasons, and many more, I am excited to have a chance to be a part of this cause."
The best advice she's ever been given:
"My parents have always reminded me that the greatest gift you can receive in life is the freedom to choose."
When she isn't working:
Elisabeth loves to travel, the arts (especially ballet and theatre), comedy, Texas Longhorns football, and finding creative ways to entertain her three young children.
