Today we’d like to introduce you to Elizabeth Davis.
Hi Elizabeth, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My counseling journey began with an interest in child and adolescent development during a high school psychology class. After high school, my interest never really changed. I went on to earn an undergraduate degree in Child Development and eventually a master’s degree in Counseling Psychology with a concentration in School Counseling (after a short detour into the business world).
As a professional school counselor, I worked with students across a wide range of environments—traditional high schools, middle schools, and alternative campuses. As I gained experience, I supported many adolescents who were navigating high levels of stress, crisis, or transition, as well as the adults who cared for them. Whether responding to campus-wide crises, working with students at risk of dropping out, or supporting pregnant and parenting teens, I saw how powerful it could be when caregivers, educators, and counselors were aligned. At the same time, I often felt the limitations of what could be addressed within the school day. Many students needed deeper, more consistent therapeutic support than I could provide as a school counselor.
That realization ultimately led me to private practice. I wanted the space to work more intensively with adolescents as well as the parents, caregivers, and educators who cared for them. In my practice, I use trauma-informed approaches, cognitive behavioral therapy, and EMDR to help clients process anxiety, depression, and trauma. My background in schools allows me to understand the academic, social, and systemic pressures adolescents face and to help families navigate those systems with greater confidence.
Alongside my clinical work, I am currently pursuing a PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision. I also serve as an adjunct instructor, teaching master’s-level counseling courses at Regent University. This role continually informs my work in private practice and keeps me grounded in research, ethics, and best practices. My work is shaped by a belief that meaningful change happens when adolescents feel understood, supported, and empowered—and when the adults in their lives are equipped to support them.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It certainly has not been a straight path. As I mentioned earlier, after graduating from college, I could not find a job in Child Development that suited me well. I ended up taking a job in a completely different field, working at a research company where I helped plan conferences. Although traveling to different parts of the world was a lot of fun, I realized it was not my calling, and that is when I decided to become a school counselor. Being a school counselor was incredibly fulfilling, but I also felt limited in what I could do. It was sometimes frustrating to want to do more than I could in a school setting to help students and families.
When I decided to start my own practice and return to school, I was excited about the opportunity in front of me, but also nervous about leaving a stable career. Building a business while balancing coursework and spending time with my family has been challenging. There have been times when I have so much to do that I do not know how I will possibly get everything done, and other times when business is slow, and I feel the pain of not having a consistent paycheck. I often tell people that this is the most difficult thing I have ever done, but it is also the most rewarding. It has stretched me in ways I did not even know were possible. I am fortunate to have an incredibly supportive husband and family who have encouraged me during difficult times and celebrated my wins with me. My faith has also carried me through, knowing that I am exactly where I am supposed to be and that everything will always work out for the best.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
At WISE Counseling, PLLC in Bartonville, I provide therapy for adolescents, educators, and parents who are navigating emotional overwhelm, relationship issues, major life transitions, or traumatic events. My work often centers on anxiety, anger, identity development, relational conflict, and the growing pressures facing today’s adolescents and the members of their support systems. I provide a safe, non-judgmental space for clients to process their thoughts, feelings, and experiences.
What sets WISE Counseling apart is the integrative, systems-focused approach I bring to therapy. I don’t just focus on symptom reduction; I help clients understand the “why” beneath their experiences. I blend evidence-based practices with trauma-informed and developmentally appropriate perspectives. Clients often tell me they feel both understood and gently challenged in our work together.
Brand-wise, I am most proud of creating a practice that feels grounded, intentional, and authentic. While I don’t provide family counseling, I work with individual members of a support system to help them understand one another and communicate more effectively. The practice is designed to be a calm, thoughtful space where my clients can find their voice and rebuild connection and trust with those in their support system. I want readers to know that WISE Counseling offers more than therapy sessions—it offers a collaborative process. My goal is to help clients develop insight, resilience, and practical tools that extend far beyond the therapy room.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
I have learned quite a few lessons along the way, but patience is probably the most important. Whether I am building a relationship with a client, working through difficult situations with them, or trying to improve my business, patience is essential. When I was in graduate school, I asked one of my professors for any advice they would give someone starting out. The response was: “If you can look in the mirror at the end of the day, and say that you did the best you could, sometimes that has to be enough.” Counseling can be very rewarding, but it can also be frustrating and sometimes even heartbreaking. My goal is to maintain authentic relationships with my clients so they know I am on their team. Sometimes that takes longer than others. If I give up, I only add another negative interaction to their narrative. The same concept goes with building my business. To be successful, I learned that I just need to keep getting back up, no matter how long it takes.
Pricing:
- I take most insurances including Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna and United
- The private pay rate is $165/session
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.wisecounselingpllc.com/
Image Credits
Miranda Longoria Photography (www.mirandalongoria.com)
