Liz Haley - Therapist · Coach

Based in Ojai, CA

My Path

My path to this work began with an art project.

In 2007, I created an art project in which I connected myself to a polygraph for 10 days as part of an international arts festival, inviting the public to ask me anything.

That practice of radical honesty had a profound impact on me and changed the trajectory of my life. It showed me what can happen when we create space for truth, vulnerability, and genuine connection. The experience led me to become a coach and later a therapist. Nearly two decades later, it continues to shape the way I approach this work.

How I Work

I believe meaningful change begins by slowing down enough to notice what's really happening.

Therapy is a place to tell the truth, understand the patterns shaping your life, and shift into new ways of being. I meet you where you are and stay attuned to what you need, whether that means deeper exploration, a new perspective, practical tools, or simply a place to land.

My approach is holistic, working with mind, body, and spirit together.

At the core, my work is relational, dynamic, and depth-oriented. I can be direct when something needs to be named, while offering warmth, empathy, humor, and support.

I integrate:

Somatic work: increasing awareness of what your body is communicating so you can interrupt habitual responses, create more choice, and respond in ways that feel aligned.
IFS / Parts Work: understanding the different parts of you with greater curiosity and compassion.
Attachment: exploring the patterns formed in your earliest relationships so you can build more security, trust, and connection today.
Existential & Depth Work: exploring meaning, identity, relationships, and how you want to live.

My clinical and academic foundation.

The Body Knows: Somatic Psychotherapy Training
Master of Arts in Depth Psychology, Pacifica Graduate Institute
Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies, Evergreen State College
Certification, East West College of the Healing Arts, Portland, OR

Coaching & Facilitation

Years of training in how to hold space, guide change, and support people through conflict and growth.

Leadership Coach Training, Coaches Training Institute (CTI)
Coaching Program, Coaches Training Institute (CTI)
Nonviolent Communication (NVC), training and facilitation
Mediation Skills Certification, Ventura Center for Dispute Settlement

Life and Embodied Experience

The experiences outside the classroom that shape how I show up in this work.

Founder & Owner, Valentines, Portland, OR
10-Day Vipassana Silent Meditation Retreat
5-Day Silent Meditation Retreat, Big Bear, CA, 2026
National Outdoor Leadership School, wilderness program, Patagonia
Decades of personal yoga and meditation practice
Artist, musician, surfer

Who I Work With

Whether working with individuals or couples, many of my clients are leaders & executives, artists & other creatives, healers, people doing mission-driven work, and people in startups and tech. But the common thread isn't the job title. It's a turning point, when something inside longs for something different.

That might show up as burnout, perfectionism, putting others' needs before your own, a strained relationship, or a quiet tension between what you've achieved and how connected you feel to yourself. It might be about leadership, or boundaries, or simply not recognizing who you've become.

I work especially well with people who are curious and reflective, who are willing to look beneath the surface and are ready for something to shift.

Together, we reconnect with what matters, deepen your relationships, and move toward a life that feels more authentic, sustainable, and fully your own.

Monstera leaf and black pyramid stone on a wooden shelf

Ways to Work Together

Individual Therapy

A space to slow down, reconnect with yourself, and explore what is most true.

You may be someone who has spent years achieving, caring for others, adapting, and meeting expectations. From the outside, things may look successful, but internally you may feel exhausted, disconnected, or unsure of what you truly need.

Therapy offers a space to slow down and listen more deeply. Together, we explore the patterns that have shaped you, the ways you have learned to protect yourself, and what it might look like to live with greater honesty, presence, and self-trust.

My approach is relational, mindful, and somatically informed. We pay attention not only to your thoughts and experiences, but also to what is happening in your body, your relationships, and your everyday life.

Together, we may explore:

Burnout and chronic stress
Perfectionism and self-criticism
Anxiety and overwhelm
Boundaries with work, technology, and relationships
Identity and life transitions
Reconnecting with your values
Developing greater self-compassion
Creating a life that feels aligned rather than simply successful

The goal is not to become a different person. It is to build a deeper relationship with yourself and create a life that feels more fully your own.

Schedule a Consultation

AMFT 139864
Supervised by Wendy Elliott, LPCC 491

Couples & Partnership Therapy

A space to slow down the patterns between you, deepen understanding, and create more meaningful communication and connection.

Relationships often bring us our greatest joys and also reveal the places where we feel most vulnerable.

Many couples come to therapy because they feel stuck in repeating patterns: the same arguments, the same misunderstandings, the same moments of distance. Beneath these patterns are often deeper needs for safety, understanding, and connection.

Couples therapy offers a space to slow down and understand what is happening beneath the conflict. Together, we work toward more honest communication, emotional connection, and a relationship where both people feel seen and valued.

We may explore:

Communication and conflict patterns
Emotional intimacy
Repair after hurt or disconnection
Understanding each other's needs
Building trust and safety
Navigating transitions and stress
Creating healthier ways of relating

My hope is that couples leave not simply knowing how to argue less, but understanding each other more deeply and feeling more connected.

Schedule a Consultation

Executive & Creative Coaching

Leading and creating without losing yourself.

Success can be deeply meaningful. It can also come with pressure, responsibility, and the expectation to always be performing at your best.

Coaching offers a space to step out of the constant demands of your role and reconnect with what matters most. Together, we explore how to lead, create, and make decisions in a way that feels sustainable and aligned.

This work is especially supportive for leaders, entrepreneurs, professionals, and creatives who are navigating growth, change, or the tension between achievement and wellbeing.

We may explore:

Leadership presence and communication
Burnout prevention and sustainable success
Navigating uncertainty and transitions
Perfectionism and imposter feelings
Boundaries and work-life integration
Creative blocks and creative confidence
Values-based decision making
Leading from clarity rather than reactivity

The goal is not simply to achieve more. It is to create and lead in a way that allows you to remain connected to yourself.

Schedule a Consultation

Upcoming Retreats & Workshops

The Power in Your Hands: 72 Hours of Digital Liberation, Oct. 25-29 2026 at Kripalu, presented by Shannon Algeo and Liz Haley

What clients say

After working with Liz I've been recommending her to everyone I know.

Liz was invaluable to me during a pivotal point in my life and helped me face what I'd been avoiding for years.

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.

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.