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Life and Work with Elizabeth (Liz) Schane

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Elizabeth (Liz) Schane.

Elizabeth, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Prior to becoming a therapist, I worked as an English teacher to middle and high schoolers. Throughout my time as an educator, I noticed a couple of common trends; first, all of my students felt compelled to approach me and talk about anything and everything that was on their minds and in their hearts. I can’t even imagine the amount of times I would redirect them to their guidance counselor, “but Miss, I want to talk to you.” This got me thinking. Was I offering something to these kiddos that they needed? Secondly, I recognized a major deficit within the family systems. Day in and day out, I interacted with young minds that yearned for acceptance, consistency, and compassion. Many struggled to pass their classes while others lacked the ability to connect in a productive way.

When I would involve the families, I was shocked to see how their dynamics prevented these kids from reaching their own potential. I knew a change was in order. Something had to be done to alter the way families interacted with one another, in turn, allowing these adolescents to thrive. I contemplated which graduate degrees would offer me the chance to create change and decided to begin my graduate degree in Mental Health Counseling.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I believe whenever we are working toward anything of value we can expect challenges to arise. I’d say one of my initial challenges was identifying who it was I wanted to counsel. Who are my people? Throughout my time in this profession, I’ve had the opportunity to work with individuals struggling with a variety of issues. With such broad experience, I recognized that if I was going to end up in practice for myself I needed to know who I wanted to help. I noticed whenever I was working with women or adolescents I felt an immediate comfort level. My supervisors always assigned me women and I was curious as to the reason behind it. I continued to receive the same feedback, despite the supervisor. These women needed my approach, one that offered compassion, acceptance, understanding, and accountability, with a little humor and laughter sprinkled in. I was regularly reminded I know women and healing, so I would continue to be given women who needed healing. At that juncture, I recognized that I was able to show up and truly support my ladies on their journey to wellness in a way others couldn’t. I had become a woman’s therapist even before I realized it for myself. Once I started to trust what others saw in me, as well as trust myself and my ability, I knew I was ready to take the next step to start my practice.

From there, I began researching the logistics. How does someone who lacks training in business suddenly become an entrepreneur? I had stellar counseling experience but business expertise was way out of my scope. So many people attempted to dissuade me from opening my practice. They pointed out financial constraints, an abundance of other local clinicians which could be considered competition, and my lack of business experience. It definitely caused me to pause, but that pause created a fire from within. Sure, I had no idea about tax ID numbers, marketing, finance, or accounting, but these limitations created an opportunity. I was now able to immerse myself in new training, new opportunities, new connections, and the next phase of my own personal growth. Amidst these challenges, Well Roots Counseling was founded.

My advice to young women just starting out is don’t quit. Ladies, it’s so hard. We face challenges that seem unimaginable and unconquerable. But it’s those moments where we feel like we need to give up that we’re getting so close to achieving our goal. Keep moving forward, recognize the challenge, allow yourself to feel whatever is surfacing, visualize the wall you’re facing, and then bust it down like it’s your full-time job. Nothing and no one has the ability to stand in our way except ourselves, so keep going!

Please tell us about Well Roots Counseling.
I’m a licensed counselor in Colorado, Florida, and North Carolina. I offer in-person counseling to residents in the Denver and Parker area, as well as online counseling to women and teens in Colorado, Florida, and North Carolina. I support women throughout all phases of life beginning in adolescence. I have sub-specialized in trauma resolution and Perinatal Mental Health. I work with women who have experienced childhood abuse and neglect, anxiety, depression, relationship issues, grief and loss, postpartum mood and anxiety disorders, birth trauma, and infertility. In addition, I counsel clinicians who recognize the need for their own personal healing.

I’ve always struggled to describe what sets me apart from others in my field. I feel that each clinician offers a unique service to individuals that are looking for their personal style. The feedback I’ve received from current and past clients regarding my approach is my ability to create a calming and safe presence which allows them to work through whatever stands in the way of their growth. I offer an exceptional balance of acceptance, empathy, and humor, coupled with a sound, evidence-based training in modalities specifically suited for the women I treat.

Who have you been inspired by?
As I think back on all the women in my life who have inspired me, so many come to mind. I’m reminded of family members, teachers, professors, friend’s mothers and grandmothers, female historical figures. There were so many different individuals who I admired. Even now, I continue to be inspired by the women around me. My doctor, supervisors, colleagues, and my clients. These ladies have broken barriers and shown the internal strength that women are capable of, I don’t believe that I can pinpoint a single woman who has inspired me more than others. Instead, I find inspiration in practically all women I encounter. Each and every woman offers her own unique essence which makes her who she is. Some women have an innate maternal instinct that shines from within. Some women have a strong business sense that is apparent within their professional lives. While some offer compassion that others gravitate toward. I can’t say that one specific woman has molded me into who I’ve become today, however, each woman I have interacted with and embraced has contributed to who I am and continue to grow into.

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Image Credit:
Adobe Stock Photos, Kelly Eileen Shrouds Photography, and Pexels.com

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