Meet Our Team - Elizabeth Swarny
Elizabeth Swarny
Position at the Hallowell Todaro ADHD Center:
Therapist
How long have you been working at Hallowell Todaro ADHD?
November 2024
Where did you grow up?
I moved around a lot as a kid, so I lived in Ohio, Maine, and Montana. I did middle and high school in a small prairie town in Eastern Montana.
What are some of your favorite books, movies, and/or TV shows?
Usually whatever I’m currently watching/reading is my favorite (so right now, “Slow Horses” on Apple). But as someone who is always striving to understand why people do the things they do, I love to dissect the rich texts of reality TV!
What is your favorite sport and/or sports team?
I grew up rooting for all Ohio sports teams and the University of Montana. Go Griz!
Complete the following sentences:
When I’m not at work, you can find me...
laying around with my cutie pie cats, probably, or eating at whatever new restaurant my best friend just discovered.
When I want to de-stress, I...
try to ground myself through progressive muscle relaxation or a (quick) meditation–but sometimes I just end up playing video games.
My favorite time of year is...
Seattle summer.
My favorite thing to cook is:
something that doesn’t have a lot of steps.
The best gift I ever received was:
my niece and nephew coming into this world.
If I could travel anywhere in the world, I’d go to...
Ireland.
What led you to pursue a career in helping others?
I stumbled into working in education and discovered that I found purpose in helping kids understand themselves and others. And of course, like many others in helping professions, the real answer is probably that I want to be the kind of adult I needed as a kid.
What education, skills and expertise do you bring to your role?
I attended the University of Puget Sound for my BA in writing and Seattle University for my M.Ed. in counseling. I have been an elementary school counselor for 8 years. It’s a job that has brought me a lot of joy and growth and helped me develop critical skills, like thinking on my feet and knowing the right questions to ask. Being present with the same kids day in and day out throughout elementary school has given me a lot of insight into the school system and context for what students are dealing with day to day.
Who/what inspires you?
People who are lifelong learners, people who seek growth even when it is uncomfortable, curious people asking big questions!
What’s your personal philosophy/approach toward the work you do?
Relationships are everything! Without authenticity, trust, and the safety to make mistakes, you won’t get far in helping someone change behaviors or self-perception.
What is one small thing people can do to increase their happiness?
Remember one thing: all feelings change with time, even the hard ones. You will not be stuck in this emotion forever, so cope now and react later. Internalizing this idea can help you recognize your innate resilience and capacity for growth.
We provide a range of support for people with ADHD.