I'm Elizabeth Vu, LCSW, a San Mateo, CA-based therapist helping children, teens, and adults address anxiety, trauma, life changes, and depression using EMDR, Sandplay Therapy, and psychodynamic psychotherapy.

Elizabeth Vu, LCSW

Psychotherapist and Practice Owner

Serving clients in San Mateo, CA and virtually throughout California, Washington State, Vermont, and Minnesota

Professional Memberships

Education

  • Bachelor of Social Work, St. Olaf College

  • Masters of Clinical Social Work, St. Catherine University/University of St. Thomas

As a clinical social worker and therapist, I help people deepen their self-understanding, gain clarity, and create meaningful change in their lives. We will work together to recognize connections and patterns in your relationships, strengthen self-compassion, and live more authentically.

I have been practicing as a social worker for over 20 years, beginning in home and community-based case management services, then shifting into school-based mental health, and then into outpatient mental health. In 2018, I opened my private practice, Inner Roots Counseling. I’ve had the privilege to work with new parents, children and teens facing emotional, social, and behavior challenges, young adults navigating big decisions, professionals dealing with burnout, people healing from trauma, and adults facing major life transitions. I’ve had the opportunity to grow and deepen my skills through my work with each client.

I integrate a number of modalities to treat my client's concerns. I specialize in anxiety, depression, trauma, and insomnia. I am a Certified EMDR Therapist (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), a Registered Sandplay Therapist, and I integrate Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Jungian, psychoanalytic, and psychodynamic theories into my work.

Schedule a first conversation to see if this feels like a fit for you. You can call me at 650-540-7329, reach out through my contact form, or you can click the button below to find a time that works for an initial consultation phone call.

Take the first step

FAQ

1. What areas do you specialize in?
I specialize in working with clients who are facing the impacts of anxiety, depression, grief, stress, and trauma, as well as supporting people adjusting to events such as launching into adulthood, relocation, divorce, and relationship challenges. 

2. What therapy approaches do you use?
I use a variety of tools to meet a client’s specific needs. I like interweaving brain-based, somatic, and depth-oriented psychological approaches. This includes EMDR, Sandplay, CBT-I, psychodynamic and Jungian psychotherapy.

3. Do you offer in-person or virtual sessions, and where are you located?
I offer in-person sessions in San Mateo, CA, and telehealth to anyone residing in California, Washington State, Vermont, and Minnesota.

4. Do you work with children, teens, or only adults?
I work with children ages 6 and up, as well as teens and adults. Parents are always involved in child therapy. 

5. How do I get started?
First we will have a brief phone consultation to discuss your concerns and answer any questions you may have. You may email me (liz@innerrootscounseling.com), call 650-540-7329, or use my booking widget to choose a time that works best for you. Then if we decide to move forward, we will schedule a first session, which can be in person or over telehealth. Starting therapy can be scary, and it’s normal to feel awkward getting started, but I provide a supportive, compassionate space to start this very important work with you.