Elizabeth Torres, Psy.D., is an assistant attending psychologist at McLean Hospital, a teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School, in Belmont, Massachusetts. She holds a joint appointment with the Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, as an Instructor in Psychology. Dr. Torres also has a thriving private practice, where she specializes in helping women adjust to the trials, tribulations and life-altering impact of motherhood. Working with women of all ages to cope with the pressure that is associated with balancing family, friends, education and employment, has been Dr. Torres’ career focus for more than 10 years.

Upon graduation from the University of California at Santa Cruz, Dr. Torres, a native Californian, attended the Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology at Rutgers University. She received intensive clinical training in all major theoretical orientations, as well as specialized training in the treatment of substance use disorders, with an emphasis on treating women. She was a leader in the Hispanic Organization of Professional Psychology Students, and was active in developing outreach programming for Latino undergraduate students. The granddaughter of Mexican immigrants, Dr. Torres has a keen interest in promoting and mentoring women of color in higher education.

Dr. Torres completed her internship at McLean Hospital, with training in treating adolescents with a variety of disorders, particularly substance abuse disorders. During her internship, she collaborated with the Stone Center at Wellesley College to further the relevance of the Relational Cultural Theory to diverse populations. She has continued teaching with the Jean Baker Miller Institute (formerly the Stone Center) in the areas of women’s adjustment and development in motherhood.

Postdoctoral training took place at McLean Hospital, where she specialized in trauma and dissociative disorders in women who also suffered from mood, anxiety, substance abuse, and/or personality disorders.

Passion for issues related to birthing, adjustment to motherhood, and the mind/body/spirit connection emerged out of Dr. Torres’ experiences with her three children (one cesarean section delivery, a subsequent vaginal birth after cesarean [VBAC] and a third delivered at home). She has received training in postpartum adjustment disorders and reproductive mental health issues and from the Women’s Healthcare Partnership in St. Louis. In addition to psychotherapy, she regularly conducts seminars and workshops on various topics related to women’s mental health for both professionals and her community. She is a frequent contributor to both print and broadcast media and on mental health issues.

She makes time for other interests: running, Iyengar yoga, gardening, watching Patriots football and socializing.