Get the care and support you deserve.

Person holding a tablet with a motivational quote "You are what matters" on the screen, sitting at a white desk with a laptop and wireless mouse.

At Mindful Willow, we understand that the journey to wellness is not a linear path; it is a deeply personal experience filled with ups and downs. We specialize in supporting individuals on their journey to recover from eating disorders and gently reconnect with themselves.

Our approach is rooted in safety, compassion, and curiosity. We create space for your full story - not to fix you, but to understand you - supporting meaningful change that feels sustainable, authentic, and aligned with your values.

Whether through counseling or coaching, we walk alongside you as you strengthen your roots, reclaim your voice, and move forward with clarity and intention.

Transformative Care

About

Headshot of Eliza Russ, owner and therapist.

For over a decade, I've specialized in working with individuals navigating eating disorders, anxiety, mood disorders, and the relentless voice of the inner critic. I know that beneath the symptoms often lies a deeper struggle: the belief that you're not enough as you are, that your worth is conditional, or that you must be perfect to be loved. My work centers on addressing these core wounds, not just managing symptoms.

I approach therapy through both a process-based and attachment-based lens. This means I focus on how you relate to your thoughts, feelings, and experiences—not just what those thoughts are—and I pay close attention to the relational patterns that shape how you connect with yourself and others. Together, we'll explore how past relationships may influence your current struggles. We'll work to build new, healthier ways of relating that support genuine connection and self-compassion.

I utilize interventions from a variety of evidence-based modalities, including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Attachment-Based Therapy, Family-Based Treatment, Psychodynamic Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Mindfulness practices tailored to fit you and your treatment goals—not the other way around. My approach is direct and collaborative. I'll ask hard questions, celebrate your wins, and sit with you in the difficult moments without rushing you through them.

Many of my clients are high-achievers who look "fine" on the outside but are exhausted from holding it all together. They're tired of performing, comparing, and trying to think their way out of problems that live deeper than thoughts. If that resonates with you, you're in the right place.

I'm committed to providing affirming, inclusive care for clients of all identities, backgrounds, and experiences, and believe that healing happens when you feel truly seen and accepted for who you are.

I completed my Master's in Social Work at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and received specialized training in eating disorder treatment. I am a Certified Eating Disorder Specialist and Consultant (CEDS-C) and have supervised clinicians since 2017.

Outside of sessions, you'll find me spending time with my family, catching up with friends, enjoying live music and sporting events, checking out new local hotspots, and embracing outdoor adventures and travel. I believe therapists should practice what we preach about balance and self-compassion—it makes me better at this work.

If you're reading this, you've likely already taken the hardest step: acknowledging that something needs to change. I'd be honored to walk alongside you as you find your way back to yourself.

Eliza Russ, LCSW, CEDS-C, MBA

Owner, Psychotherapist, and Coach

(NC #C009769, SC #TLS 1453 CP)

Get started with Mindful Willow, today.