I have been practicing as a social worker for many years focusing primarily on medical social work. I started my career working with families whose infants were born with congenital heart disease. I spent many hours helping those families in the NICU and critical care settings. Those early experiences primed my interest in assisting parents who are affected by perinatal mood and anxiety disorders.
My own experience with motherhood also motivated me to focus on this area. I had my first child in 1996 and people were only just beginning to recognize that postpartum depression was serious and needed specialized care. I am committed to ensuring that we develop a strong network providing that specialized care in Austin.
As a practitioner, I believe in the importance of forming a strong relationship with my clients and encouraging the exploration of their strengths and struggles. I want to engage them in a conversation about holistic wellness and all that it takes to get them there as they struggle with the adjustment to parenthood. I have also worked extensively with families who are struggling with grief and loss, including perinatal loss, stillbirth, and infant death.
My primary treatment modalities are Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Interpersonal Psychotherapy. I believe that parents often need tools to help them manage their symptoms of anxiety and depression. I also believe that becoming a parent is a major time of transition and it brings along with it, the need to review and understand past relationships and attachment needs. It is important to honor all life experiences and the feelings that come along with them.
I have long dreamt of working in a setting where the focus of the services is perinatal mental health. I am now thrilled to be able to offer psychotherapy services at Reproduction Psychiatry and Counseling, and look forward to what we can do as a practice to support families who are impacted by perinatal mood and anxiety disorders.
Elaine Cavazos, LCSW-S, PMH-C
Graduated from:
• Midwestern State University, 1990, B.A. Sociology with a minor in Social Work
• Our Lady of the Lake University, 1991, MSW degree
Training:
• Postpartum Stress Center, Post-graduate PPD Training
Seleni Institute, Seleni Postpartum Mental Health Intensive Training
• 2020 Mom Project PMAD Training
• Massachusetts’s General, Psychiatric Diagnostic Disorders in Women: Diagnostic and Treatment Considerations Across the Female Lifespan
Work Experience:
• MD Anderson Hospital, Social Worker, December 1992-October 1993
• Texas Children’s Hospital, Pediatric Cardiology Social Worker, October 1993-August 1996
• Seton Healthcare Network, June 2002-December 2004
• UT Steve Hicks School of Social Work, Clinical Assistant Professor, September 2003-2010
• UT Steve Hicks School of Social Work, Adjunct Assistant Professor, February 2015-current
• Austin Center for Grief and Loss, Contract Therapist, September 2011-June 2016
• Elaine Cavazos, LLC, Owner, Private Practice, June 2016-current
Accomplishments:
• Met the criteria for and successfully completed the exam to become Perinatal Mental Health-Certified by Postpartum Support International
• Chair of the planning committee for the University of Texas Steve Hicks School of Social Work Perinatal Mental Health and Wellness Conference, 2017, 2019, 2021
• Adjunct Faculty at the UT Steve Hicks School of Social Work, 2015-present
• Clinical Assistant Professor at the UT Steve Hicks School of Social Work, 2003-2010
• Clinical Director, The Pregnancy and Postpartum Health Alliance of Texas, 2014-2018
• President, The Pregnancy and Postpartum Health Alliance of Texas, 2018-2020
• Field Instructor of the Year, UT Steve Hicks School of Social Work, 2016
Speaking Engagements:
• Elaine has facilitated numerous trainings on perinatal mood and anxiety disorders in central Texas.
Current established psychiatry patients can schedule their own appointments through charm.