A woman with shoulder-length red hair, wearing a dark gray blazer over a white lace top, blue jeans, and a brown belt, smiling while standing against a white textured wall.

Hi, I’m Dr. Liz

Let me introduce myself…

I’m a dual-licensed psychologist and nationally certified school psychologist. When it comes to roles in my field - you name it, I’ve probably done it. I’ve worked in schools, universities, private agencies, state entities, and for over eight years, I’ve run my thriving mental health private practice,Capital City Psychology, LLC (If you’re looking for therapy in Wisconsin, feel free to take a peek!)

So you might ask…why start Empowered Focus if I already had a thriving practice?

The simple answer: I wanted to reach a wider audience in a way that focuses on skill-building and positive change - without labels. Client after client came to me needing help in some way related to executive functioning challenges - sometimes for a known reason like ADHD, sometimes just because life was overwhelming. And many of these clients were the parents of the kids I was already seeing in my practice. That’s when I knew I had to create a space like Empowered Focus.

If you’re still reading, you’re probably interested in more details…so I will share them

A little more about me…

My combo of licensed psychologist and nationally certified school psychologist basically makes me a rare hybrid: part mental health guide, part educational strategist. One parent even called me a “unicorn,” and honestly, I’ll take it.

I earned my PhD in Educational (School) Psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and I’ve been at this for over 20 years. Along the way, I’ve worn just about every hat you can imagine: counselor, consultant, coach, trainer, program developer, director, and supervisor. But what really lights me up is teaching - helping people figure out systems that actually work, whether in schools or for busy working parents.

A while back, I realized I wanted to take all the strategies I’d shared with school teams and bring them to parents who were juggling everything and feeling stuck. That energy, those “aha” moments - that’s what makes it all worth it. And I wanted to create a space where it’s possible to make life easier and more joyful.

Outside of work, I’m a mom to two kids who keep me running and a wife to my husband of now 20 years. We started our family a little later than most, which means I’m probably the more “wrinkly” mom at soccer practice -but I wear those creases proudly. They’re proof that life is messy, full, and most importantly, worth it.

Top view of a glass of latte with foam art, and two tampers filled with ground coffee and whole coffee beans on a gray surface.

I love…

  • Coffee

  • Exercise- most kinds, but I really love spinning

  • Positive energy

  • Constructive feedback

  • A well run meeting

  • Quick, healthy meals

  • Good listeners

  • Strengths-based approaches

  • My family

I’m not so fond of…

  • A day with no caffeine

  • Sitting for too long

  • Negativity for the sake of negativity

  • Mean comments with no ideas for change

  • Poorly run meetings

  • Time-forced fast food dinners

  • Assumptions without facts

  • Deficit thinking

  • Mean people

Wow! You’re still reading, eh?

Ok- I’ll share a few more things about me…