Staff Spotlight, Liz McCabe

Tell us about yourself, Liz!

Hello! I’m Liz McCabe, and I’m the new Chief Clinical Officer at The Emily Program. I have been at TEP since 2015 and started my TEP career as the Pittsburgh Site Director. I remember spending two very chilly February weeks in Minneapolis learning about TEP and thinking to myself, “yes, I have found my people” (i.e., people who understood eating disorders). And, almost 6 years later, I still think that. I’ve also concluded that there isn’t another eating disorders organization that has the expertise, passion, drive, and potential that we do. So, it is with no small measure of both humility and pride that I step into the Chief Clinical Officer role to guide our clinical path forward. 

In this role, I work with the sites, the support teams, and our executive team to bring effective clinical treatments to the many clients who entrust us with their care. A primary aspect of my work is to support the clinicians who deliver treatment by providing them with varied and ongoing opportunities for continued professional growth and development, whether it be in the form of specific training opportunities or by ensuring a structure exists in which clinicians regularly receive feedback and encouragement they need to be successful. Central to our ability to provide effective treatments is maintaining a work environment that encourages intellectual curiosity and teamwork and is experienced by all as a safe place to grow and learn. Make no mistake, the work we do is hard; it’s hard for clients and it’s also hard for us. To do our best work, we must be equipped with not only the technical knowledge and skills for treating eating disorders but also a belief that we must care for each other so that we can effectively care for our clients.  

Describe the path that led you to The Emily Program.

Prior to joining TEP, I worked for more than 25 years at Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, a large psychiatric hospital and outpatient service that was part of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. From 1992 until my departure in 2015, I worked with the eating disorders program in a variety of clinical, program development, supervisory, teaching, and research roles treating adolescents and adults on both an inpatient and outpatient basis. Over the last 5.5 years, I have been focused on growing the Pittsburgh site and providing intake evaluations, individual therapy. and family-based therapy for adolescents and adults.

What lessons has your job taught you?

The importance of listening, the value of teamwork, the need to be patient with others and yourself.

What are you looking forward to? 

Like everyone, I am so looking forward to when we have widely available safe and effective treatments for COVID-19! Visiting all the sites and talking with staff is high on my list of things I can’t wait to do!

What did you want to be when growing up?

A psychiatrist!