Meet Elaine Evans | Owner and Therapist at Third Place Therapy

We had the good fortune of connecting with Elaine Evans and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Elaine, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
My relationship with work–life balance has changed many times over the years. When I first started in private practice, I was working a full-time job outside of therapy and squeezing sessions into evenings and weekends. At first, it felt energizing because I loved the therapy work so much. But after about a year, I began to feel resentful, like my entire life revolved around work.

I eventually transitioned to a private-pay practice, which allowed me to leave my full-time job and focus solely on therapy. In the first six months, I often scheduled up to 12 clients in a day. While that pace initially felt exciting and ambitious, over time I noticed a sense of dread creeping in as I anticipated how exhausting each day would be. That was my signal to pivot. I adjusted my schedule to seeing six clients a day over four days a week, which felt much more sustainable.

That balance worked well until I became a parent. Returning to work after having my son brought a new layer of complexity as I tried to honor two things I deeply care about: my family and my work as a therapist. For the first few months back, I kept a very reduced schedule, seeing only three to four clients a day. As my son got older and I grew more confident in motherhood, I gradually increased my caseload to four or five clients per day, which feels aligned for this season of life.

What I’ve learned through all of these shifts is that work–life balance isn’t about meeting someone else’s standard of what balance should look like. It’s about continually asking, at each stage of life, what matters most right now and whether the way I’m spending my time reflects that. Of course, there are practical realities to consider, like finances and childcare. But when we do have choices, how we use our time reveals our values.

I also believe that chronic imbalance often points to something deeper than scheduling. Overworking can reflect a need to prove worth, stay productive, or avoid slowing down. Sometimes the issue isn’t about working fewer hours, but about giving ourselves permission to rest, to enjoy life, and to value ourselves beyond what we produce.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Third Place Therapy was built out of a desire to create something that felt both clinically excellent and deeply human. My practice focuses on helping high-achieving, emotionally aware adults heal from trauma, attachment wounds, and relational patterns that often trace back to early experiences. What sets my work apart is the integration of trauma-informed approaches like EMDR, Internal Family Systems, and somatic work, alongside a strong emphasis on autonomy, consent, and honoring each client’s unique pace.

What I’m most proud of is the culture I’ve created, both for clients and for clinicians. I wanted to build a practice that values depth over productivity, collaboration over competition, and sustainability over burnout. That philosophy shapes everything from how I structure my own schedule to how I mentor associates, host therapist community events, and design consultation offerings. I’m especially excited about expanding education and consultation spaces for therapists who want to do trauma work thoughtfully without losing themselves in the process.

Getting to where I am today was not easy or linear. Like many therapists, I started by juggling multiple jobs, long hours, and financial uncertainty. I made mistakes, overworked, and learned firsthand what happens when passion isn’t balanced with boundaries. Over time, I had to confront my own beliefs about worth, productivity, and success, and intentionally build a business that aligned with my values instead of someone else’s blueprint. Supportive mentors, continued training, and a willingness to pivot when something wasn’t working were essential in that process.

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that a sustainable business requires just as much inner work as external strategy. Growth doesn’t come from doing more, but from getting clearer about what matters, what to say no to, and where to invest energy. I’ve also learned that community is everything. None of this is built alone, and collaboration has been one of the most rewarding parts of my work.

What I want the world to know about my brand is that it’s rooted in the belief that healing doesn’t require fixing what’s broken, because people aren’t broken. My story, and the story of Third Place Therapy, is about creating space for repair, reflection, and reconnection, with ourselves, with others, and with a life that feels meaningful rather than performative.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my best friend were visiting for a week, I’d want them to experience the balance Phoenix does so well: great food, beautiful desert landscapes, creative energy, and space to slow down.

We’d start mornings with coffee at Lux Central, then head out for a hike at Piestewa Peak. It’s challenging enough to feel rewarding but still approachable, with views that really show off the city and surrounding desert. One afternoon would be reserved for wandering the Desert Botanical Garden, especially around golden hour when the light softens everything.

For food, I’d want them to experience how good and varied the Phoenix dining scene really is. Lunch at Taco Guild is a must, both for the atmosphere and the food. For dinner, Il Bosco is one of my go-tos when I’m craving pizza. I would make sure to stop by Hulas for their happy hour to enjoy the best MaiTai in the city.

Midweek would be all about slowing down with a spa day at The Scottsdale Princess. It’s the perfect reset and a reminder that rest is part of the Arizona lifestyle. Afterward, we’d wander Roosevelt Row, especially if there’s an First Friday art walk or local event happening.

To wrap up the week, I’d plan a day trip to Sedona. It’s the perfect contrast to the city and always leaves people feeling grounded, inspired, and a little more connected.

What I love most about Phoenix is that it invites both adventure and rest. The people here are creative, thoughtful, and quietly ambitious, and the desert has a way of reminding you to slow down and pay attention. It’s not just a place to visit, it’s a place to feel.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My professional growth has been deeply shaped by both high-quality training and the people who have supported me along the way. Completing EMDR training through EMDRIA-approved programs gave me a strong foundation in trauma treatment and helped me understand how past experiences live on in the nervous system. My training in Internal Family Systems (IFS) further transformed my work by offering a compassionate, non-pathologizing way to understand internal conflict and promote lasting change.

Equally important has been the guidance of supervisors who believed in me and challenged me to grow. Mentors like Janel Fairchild and Caleb Mitchell played a pivotal role in shaping my clinical confidence, ethical grounding, and professional identity. Their support helped me move from simply applying techniques to practicing therapy with greater depth, clarity, and intention.

I’ve also been deeply influenced by mentorship outside of traditional clinical supervision. Matthias J. Barker has been a mentor to me in the work of healing family estrangement, generously sharing his insight, experience, and perspective in a space that is both complex and often misunderstood. Learning alongside him has allowed me to engage in this work with greater nuance, humility, and care, and to contribute meaningfully to conversations and healing around family estrangement that are so deeply needed.

Website: https://www.thirdplacetherapy.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thirdplacetherapy

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/third-place-therapy

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thirdplacetherapy

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/third-place-therapy-phoenix

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thirdplacetherapy

Image Credits
Karlie Colleen Photography