Meet Elizabeth Ballantyne

MSW, LCSWA

Specialties: Anxiety & OCD, ADHD, Relationships, Grief & Trauma Therapy, Stress and Transitions, Self Esteem, Highly Sensitive, Young Professionals, College Women, & Teens

Originally from Maryland, Elizabeth spent six years in Pittsburgh, earning her Master of Social Work from the University of Pittsburgh before moving to North Carolina. Her work is grounded, relational, and flexible, with a strong focus on helping you feel understood, supported, and empowered as you move forward.

Offering sessions virtually anywhere in North Carolina & in-person in Wilmington

Schedule Now | Accepted Insurances

Anxiety, OCD & the Overthinking Mind

If your mind feels like it never slows down, you may be living with constant worry, intrusive thoughts, perfectionism, or a fear of getting something “wrong.” Anxiety and OCD can show up as overthinking, reassurance-seeking, people-pleasing, or feeling stuck in cycles you can’t seem to break.

Elizabeth helps you learn how to relate differently to your thoughts rather than fighting them. Using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), mindfulness, and self-compassion, you’ll build skills to reduce anxiety’s grip, tolerate uncertainty, and feel more grounded in your day-to-day life.  You don’t have to fight anxiety in your mind to find relief – we can work together to develop strategies that help you refocus, feel grounded, and create more peace in your day-to-day life.

Life Transitions, College Stress & Young Adulthood

Transitions can be exciting and destabilizing at the same time. Whether you’re entering high school, transitioning to or from college, starting a new chapter, or feeling unsure about who you’re “supposed” to be, it’s easy to feel lost or behind.

Elizabeth works closely with high school students, college-aged clients, and young adults navigating identity, independence, academic pressure, and major life decisions. Therapy becomes a space where you can slow down, reflect, and reconnect with what truly matters to you, so you can move forward with clarity and confidence instead of constant self-doubt.

Trauma, Grief & Emotional Healing

You may carry experiences that still affect how you see yourself, others, or the world. Trauma and grief don’t always look obvious. They can show up as numbness, emotional reactivity, difficulty trusting, or feeling disconnected from yourself.

Elizabeth is EMDR trained and supports clients in processing past experiences at a pace that feels safe and manageable. Whether you’re working through grief, trauma, or painful memories, therapy focuses on helping your nervous system feel more regulated while gently addressing what’s been holding you back. Healing doesn’t mean forgetting. It means creating space for relief, resilience, and self understanding.

Self-Esteem & Sensitivity

As a young adult or young professional, you may feel constant pressure to perform, keep up, or prove yourself. If you’re highly sensitive, a people pleaser, or someone who holds yourself to very high standards, you might struggle with self criticism, overthinking, or feeling like you’re never quite doing enough.

Elizabeth helps you better understand these patterns and where they come from, without judgment or shame. Through a blend of Internal Family Systems (IFS), mindfulness, and compassion focused work, you’ll learn how to quiet your inner critic, honor your sensitivity as a strength, and build a more supportive relationship with yourself. This work creates a foundation for greater confidence, emotional balance, and self trust.

Relationships

Navigating relationships in young adulthood can feel confusing and emotionally draining, especially while balancing school, career goals, independence, and personal growth. You may find yourself repeating patterns in dating, friendships, or family relationships, struggling with boundaries, or feeling responsible for other people’s emotions.

Elizabeth supports you in exploring these relational patterns and understanding how they connect to your values, past experiences, and sense of self. Therapy helps you develop healthier boundaries, communicate more clearly, and build relationships that feel more secure, mutual, and aligned with who you are becoming.

Her Approach

Elizabeth takes a holistic, individualized approach to therapy, meaning your care is thoughtfully tailored to you, your experiences, your nervous system, and your goals. There is no one size fits all path to healing, and Elizabeth believes therapy works best when the approach fits you, not the other way around.

At the foundation of her work is self compassion. Many clients come to therapy with harsh inner critics, shame, or a belief that they “should be doing better.” Elizabeth helps you develop a kinder, more supportive relationship with yourself, so growth feels encouraging rather than overwhelming. Self compassion becomes a tool for resilience, emotional safety, and sustainable change.

Elizabeth often integrates Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help you untangle from unhelpful thought patterns. Instead of trying to eliminate anxiety, intrusive thoughts, or uncomfortable emotions, ACT teaches you how to relate to them differently, creating space between you and your thoughts so they don’t control your choices. You’ll learn how to ground yourself in the present moment and take meaningful steps toward a life aligned with your values, even when discomfort shows up.

She also draws from Internal Family Systems (IFS), which views your inner world as made up of different “parts,” each with its own role and intention. This approach helps you understand why certain reactions, like people pleasing, perfectionism, avoidance, or emotional shutdown, developed in the first place. Through IFS, you’ll learn to approach these parts with curiosity rather than judgment, fostering deeper self understanding and emotional healing.

Mindfulness is woven throughout Elizabeth’s work to support nervous system regulation and emotional awareness. Mindfulness helps you slow down, tune into your body, and notice what’s happening internally without immediately reacting. Over time, this builds greater emotional regulation, clarity, and a sense of grounding, especially helpful for anxiety, trauma, and transitions.

Elizabeth also incorporates other evidence-based modalities as needed, including EMDR for trauma and distressing memories, always pacing sessions to ensure you feel safe and supported. Her approach is flexible and responsive, adjusting as your needs evolve throughout therapy.

Above all, therapy with Elizabeth is collaborative and empowering. You are the expert on your own life, and she partners with you to explore insights, build practical tools, and access your inner strengths. Progress happens at a pace that feels right for you, rooted in trust, safety, and respect for your unique journey.

A Little More About Elizabeth

Outside of the therapy room, Elizabeth loves attending concerts, with the Eras Tour being a recent favorite, traveling, and staying active. Her favorite destination so far is Lisbon. She played lacrosse for 10 years and values the balance of movement, connection, and curiosity in her own life, which often informs the grounded and human way she shows up with clients.

Begin Your Healing Journey

Starting therapy can feel intimidating, and choosing to begin is a powerful step. In sessions with Elizabeth, the only expectation is that you show up just as you are. Whether you’re navigating anxiety, trauma, perfectionism, or feeling overwhelmed by life, you don’t have to face it alone.

If you’re curious about what therapy could look like for you, Elizabeth would be honored to connect with you.

Reach out today to schedule a consultation and take the next step toward a more grounded, balanced, and fulfilling life.

Accepted Insurances

Aetna, BCBC (excluding Blue Home, and Blue Local), Blue value, Cigna, and NC State Health Plan.