Liz Haley - Therapist · Coach

Patagonia off-site facilitation for creative department

Working in Ojai, CA & Los Angeles

About Liz

My path to coaching began with an art project.

In 2007 I hooked myself up to a polygraph and invited the public to ask me anything.

That practice of radical honesty changed my life - not because of the machine or my answers, but because of what happened in a space that felt genuinely vulnerable. People showed up differently. And so did I.

That experience was profound enough to lead me to train as a coach, earn a master's in depth psychology from Pacifica, and build a practice around what I witnessed: when people feel safe enough to be honest, something shifts - in them, in their relationships, and in the world they move through.

Nearly two decades later, I'm still creating environments for honest conversations and holding space for the depth of what's true to surface.

My Approach

I work at the intersection of depth and practicality, logic and intuition — valuing insight while recognizing how easily thinking can become a way to avoid feeling. My approach is informed by neuroscience and a deep trust in the wisdom of the body. Somatic work helps you recognize and shift nervous system responses so that change is felt, not just understood.

Sessions are warm but not passive, gentle yet direct. I track what's being said, what's being avoided, and what's moving beneath the surface, reflecting what I notice without judgment, slowing down when it matters, asking what needs to be asked. I'll stay steady with you through the hard parts, and I'll always meet you where you are.

Our relationship is part of the work. What emerges between us often mirrors what happens elsewhere in your life. Change happens when you feel genuinely met and safe enough to be honest, with yourself and those around you. More than any modality, it's this quality of attention that shapes everything.

I feel honored to do this work. Witnessing people outgrow what they inherited and choose a different way of being is deeply rewarding.

Who I Work With

My clients tend to be high-functioning adults in their thirties, forties, and fifties who have worked hard and built something real: a career, a creative practice, maybe a family - a life that looks like success from the outside. And yet something feels off. A quiet disconnection from themselves, from what they love, from what actually matters.

They come to me wanting to stop rushing through their life and start actually feeling it. To move through the world with more ease and enjoyment, less anxiety and more presence.

I've worked with artists, writers, musicians, lawyers, startup founders, entrepreneurs, executives at nonprofits, film industry creatives, leaders at outdoor companies, and people from Google, Apple, and beyond. What they share isn't an industry. It's a particular kind of interior life. Thoughtful, self-aware, and not wanting to settle for a life that looks right but doesn't feel it.

Work With Me

Therapy · Individuals & Couples

A safe space to understand yourself more deeply.

Individual Therapy

Therapy is a safe and non-judgmental place to explore your feelings, identify patterns, and shift ways of thinking and being that no longer serve you. Liz works with clients on anxiety, stress and burnout, life and relationship transitions, grief and loss, building self-confidence, and emotional healing from difficult experiences.

Relational Therapy

The quality of our relationships profoundly impacts our health and happiness. By examining our relationships - and our role within them - we can shift away from unproductive patterns and toward honest dialogue, empathetic listening, and genuine connection.

In-person in Ojai, CA · Virtual for California residents

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Coaching for Creative People & Thoughtful Leaders

Create, lead and live with intention.

I specialize in working with creative professionals and leaders who want to do things differently.

The work varies by person but is often rooted in the same territory: imposter syndrome and perfectionism, people pleasing and the exhaustion that comes with it, using work as a way to avoid other parts of life.

Learning to set boundaries, with devices, with colleagues, with the relentless pressure to always be available. Finding work-life balance that actually holds. Creating and protecting a practice, creative or otherwise, that works for your real life, not an ideal one.

Underneath all of it is usually the same thing: moving past habitual reaction into more intentional living. Recognizing and honoring your own wants, needs, and wellbeing, not as a luxury but as the foundation. Because change begins within, and then creates a positive impact on everything around you.

Virtual sessions · Clients anywhere

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Upcoming Retreats & Workshops

Offerings in group work, somatic practice, and experiential learning.

Group work offers something individual sessions simply can't. There's a particular kind of learning that only happens in the presence of others, where diverse perspectives challenge and expand your own, where strangers become witnesses to each other's lives.

In a culture that is increasingly divisive and digital, I believe this kind of in-person community matters more than ever. There is something deeply satisfying about watching a group of people with different personalities and backgrounds come together, and leave feeling more connected, to themselves, to each other, and to the world around them.

It's also, genuinely, a lot of fun.

If you think of yourself as not a group person, I'd invite you to try it anyway.

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What clients say

After working with Liz I've been recommending her to everyone I know who needs some help sorting through the overwhelming number of choices that the world gives us.

Liz was an invaluable help to me during a pivotal point in my life. She is an incredible listener, and I am so grateful for her assistance maneuvering around some major obstacles I was avoiding.

You really have that special energy in inspiring and helping people hone in to their truth and call. It's amazing.

You are deeply talented at your work. I can't thank you enough for your time and insights.

Liz's coaching has been instrumental in my personal and professional growth. She works from a place of deep love, wisdom and powerful intuition and brings out the same in me.

She's a great listener and always seems to ask the right questions. After each session, I feel excited and full of renewed focus and direction.

It has been a year now since my sessions with Liz and what strikes me is that I still, frequently, find myself referencing our talks...

Liz creates a warm and comforting space to talk through hard issues. She is incredibly gifted with her instinctual questions that guide the flow of sessions. My wife and I were at a hard impasse that was completely loosened by working with Liz.

She's a remarkable coach - clear and incisive about practical solutions, but also very imaginative and empathic.

Liz is both grounding and uplifting at the same time.

Common Questions

FAQ

What's the difference between therapy and coaching?

Therapy focuses on emotional healing, understanding patterns, and processing past experiences. Coaching is more action-oriented - it's about gaining clarity, setting goals, and moving forward. Some clients work with me in both capacities.

Do you offer virtual sessions?

Yes. Coaching sessions are virtual and available to clients anywhere. Therapy sessions are available in person in Ojai, CA or virtually for California residents.

What does a first session look like?

The first session is a chance for us to get to know each other. We'll talk about what's bringing you in, what you're hoping for, and whether working together feels like a good fit. There's no pressure - it's a conversation.

How long are sessions and how often do we meet?

Sessions are typically 50 minutes. Frequency depends on your needs - some clients come weekly, others biweekly or monthly. We'll figure out a rhythm that works for you.

How do I get started?

Reach out by email - I'll get back to you within 1–2 business days to set up an initial conversation.