Director of the Eating Disorders Center
DBT Center, Eating Disorders Center
BIOGRAPHY
Dr. McElfish works with adolescents, families, and adults in the DBT Center, as well as children, adolescents, and adults in the Eating Disorders Center.
Dr. McElfish has expertise in using evidence-based treatments with adults, adolescents, and families with a variety of clinical problems including eating disorders, body-image disturbance, self-injury and suicidal behaviors, impulsive behaviors, emotion dysregulation, anxiety and mood disorders, and trauma. She is passionate about collaborating with clients, families, and parents to cope with emotional and behavioral challenges so they can live life as fully as possible according to their own goals and values.
Dr. McElfish completed her master’s degree in clinical psychology at West Virginia University, with clinical work focused on treating trauma and severe, chronic mental illness. She went on to complete her doctorate in clinical psychology at Marshall University and internship at West Virginia University School of Medicine – Charleston Division, where she elected to work with adults and adolescents in the Disordered Eating Center of Charleston and the DBT Services Program. She completed her postdoctoral fellowship in the treatment of eating disorders and in DBT at EBTCS, and is certified in Family-Based Treatment (FBT) for anorexia and bulimia nervosa in children, teens, and transitional-age youth.
In additional to individual and Family-Based therapies, Dr. McElfish teaches adult and adolescent-family DBT skills classes, and provides Parent-Training for parents of clients in DBT Programs.
Dr. McElfish is a member of the American Psychological Association (APA) and a member of the Academy for Eating Disorders (AED). She is a licensed psychologist in the state of Washington.