How do we really uncover our joy and make space for it to come in so we can live a more fulfilled life?  

Elizabeth is an integrative psychotherapist, writer, and speaker who specializes in maternal health, trauma, and chronic illness. After years of working in emergency psychiatric centers and recovery centers, Elizabeth opened Elizabeth Miller Therapy so that she can better serve her clients with an integrative, holistic approach to healing mind, body, and spirit.

Elizabeth holds a Master’s of Education Degree in Counselor Education and Clinical Psychology and is currently finishing her Ph.D. in Integrative Medicine at Saybrook University. Elizabeth grew up in Minneapolis, MN but currently lives in Houston, Texas with her husband, two daughters, and two dogs. 

Elizabeth has always valued deep authentic relationships with others.  She knew she wanted to turn her strength of connecting with others into a career, and that’s what she did!

Integrative Psychotherapy works on the holistic mind, body healing.  Part of Elizabeth’s work is uncovering how to experience joy in an authentic and meaningful way.  Joy looks different for everyone.  Our lives get chaotic and we get into our routines, and we lose track of how to make space for joy.

Listen in as we talk about limiting beliefs that suck the energy and joy out of us, and the notion that you really can’t pour from an empty cup.

We talk about how to take small steps to get back to joy.  It starts with uncovering what joy really feels like first so that we can recognize when it’s there.  How does joy physically feel? This is where mindfulness comes in, which is really just being present in the moment.  And when it’s there, give yourself permission to sit with it. 

Only say yes to things that make sense in our lives at the time.  Without doing that, we won’t have the space to experience joy or do the things that we feel passionately about. For all of the ‘doers’ out there, this can be hard!  It’s hard for us to pause, and reflect….but it is so necessary.  Our authentic self comes out when you’re not distracted by just checking boxes. 

For all of my women in business friends, Elizabeth talks about how there is no linear path for women in the corporate world.  On the one hand, that’s hard…but on the other, it’s pretty cool.  We have to and get to, create our own path.  It’s challenging to do alone, so a big part for women is to create a community.

Our discussion wraps up around a conversation about owning our stories.  Things that happen when we’re so young really have a role in paving our paths. Our past plays a role in our present.

Authenticity and vulnerability are uncomfortable and it takes some work,  but that is how you truly connect and find your joy.  We have to practice being uncomfortable.  In time, vulnerability shifts from being scary to being a relief. 

Let go of the idea that we have to be perfect and have it all together in order to be successful. Focus on being your best self right now. 

I hope you enjoy this episode and are able to get back to making more space for joy in your life. 

For more from Elizabeth, check her out at:

Elizabeth Miller Therapy

On Instagram @elizabethmillertherapy