Meet Elizabeth “Izzy” Madaelil (she/her/hers), LMSW, supervised by Ayla Peret, LCSW-S. With a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Pittsburgh and a Master of Science in Social Work from the University of Texas at Austin, Izzy is a compassionate and knowledgeable mental health professional.
Izzy’s passion for helping others first began during her graduate internship at Westlake High School, where she provided individual and group counseling to students and teachers. Her final internship at Ascension Seton Behavioral Health allowed her to work with clients using adherent Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to address suicidal thoughts, impulsive behaviors, and intense emotions.
With a research background in psychology and experience as a research specialist, Izzy has worked on studies examining DBT’s impact on women with borderline personality disorder and their preschool-aged children. Her extensive experience in both research and clinical settings has equipped her to work with adolescents and adults struggling with a range of mental health diagnoses, including eating disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, and personality disorders.
As a South Asian woman, she is committed to making mental healthcare more accessible and approachable for all individuals, particularly those from underrepresented communities, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and those with intersecting identities. She is dedicated to empowering her clients to live a life aligned with their values, prioritizing open communication, authenticity, and humor along the way.
Outside of work, Izzy enjoys baking, watching reality TV (yes, it’s a guilty pleasure!), roller skating (though she admits she’s not very good at it), and sharing excellent dad jokes and some pretty humorous state/city puns with anyone who will listen.
