Elisa Brooks – True Heart Therapy

Hi, it's nice to meet you!

I'm Elisa Brooks, and I'm glad you're here.

What is a fun fact about myself?
I am half-Icelandic and speak Icelandic fluently.

What can you expect as my client?
I use an emotion-focused therapy (EFT) lens as well as incorporating Internal Family Systems (IFS) parts work, inner child and reparenting-the-self concepts, polyvagal theory and our nervous system’s role in emotion regulation, social connection, and fear response in relationships, and attachment theory as a way to understand how our childhood and caregivers shape how we give and receive love as adults and how to change relationship dynamics by understanding and shifting emotional, cognitive, and behavioral patterns of behavior in our romantic relationships, friendships, and families.

My style is warm, relational, empathetic, using humor when needed and challenge when desired, all in my commitment to support your unique needs and therapy goals. We can laugh together and we can sit in the heaviness of life together; either way, I’m here for you. I am an antiracist clinician, supporting all identities including BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, polyamorous and kink identifying, sex-positive, and body-positive.

Pronouns: She/Her

Who am I outside of therapy?
When I’m not in session doing therapy, I’m probably at home reading some new nonfiction fantasy series, exercising, going for long walks around the city or along Portland’s many hiking trails, finding new restaurants, or hosting friends and family for a game night. I’m happiest with a book in my hand, out in the quiet amongst the trees, laughing with friends around a fire, or in deep conversation with my loved ones.

How did I become a therapist?
I initially studied English as an undergrad, thinking about a career in law. When I graduated, I realized it wasn’t the right path for me and moved back home to work in marketing. I decided to use that time to figure out who I was and what I wanted to do with my life and started therapy to begin working on myself. I quickly fell in love with therapy, with how it made me feel, how it challenged and pushed me, how supported I felt, and learning to sit with my emotions, thoughts, beliefs, patterns, and, simply, myself. After years in therapy, I decided I wanted to dedicate my life to the study and practice of therapy and provide the same healing, safety, and support to others.

I am currently in my third and final year working towards a Master’s degree in Marriage, Couple, and Family Therapy and Lewis & Clark College, with an emphasis on sexuality and systemic models. I have also completed a 40-hour training in domestic violence assessment, prevention, and treatment, as well as being trained as a child sexual abuse prevention educator and facilitator.

I’ve worked with individuals, couples, and groups treating a wide variety of topics and issues, including trauma, depression, anxiety, marriage and relationships, sex and sexuality, infidelity and relationship repair, discernment counseling (couples ending the relationship), suicidality, personality disorders, sexual abuse, victims and survivors of abuse/trauma, domestic abuse relapse prevention, and more.

My clinical interests include working with couples and individuals who want to work on issues related to attachment styles and navigating conflict, communication and connection in relationships, childhood trauma and family of origin issues, neurodivergence, survivors of domestic violence and child sexual abuse, anxiety, depression, sex and sexuality, gender identity and LGBTQIA+ issues, cultural and systemic oppression, and loss and grief.