About Me
Hey there, I'm Lisa. I'm a therapist, mom, friend, partner, and lover of animals. Patients describe me as warm, genuine, direct, and invested. I've been working for 10 years in the mental health field. I'm passionate about helping others find healing and wholeness. I offer individual therapy for adults and virtual DBT Skills groups for teens ages 15-19.
My Education
I am a Licensed Professional Counselor. I graduated from the University of Georgia with a Master's degree in Professional Counseling. Prior to that, I received a Bachelor's degree in Psychology. I am currently licensed to see clients in Georgia, Arizona, New Jersey, and Florida.
Who and What I Work With
I work with adults struggling with depression, anxiety, grief, relationship issues, and low self-worth. I have specialized experience treating substance use and trauma (both complex trauma and PTSD), and as a Certified DBT Therapist (C-DBT), I have extensive experience treating individuals with Borderline Personality Disorder or BPD traits.
I am also a Certified Religious Trauma Specialist, helping clients untangle complicated histories of religious trauma, including recovery from high-control religious groups and cults.
Additionally, I believe one of the most underrated human experiences is the ending of significant relationships. I can help you navigate the grief and find meaning in the loss so you can move forward and live a full life.
My Style
Each therapist has their own unique style. I'm an active participant in your healing journey and tend towards a more direct approach to counseling- I try to be real with you and welcome you being real with me. You will guide sessions in that we will always cover what you need and want to talk about, but when needed, I will also help direct the conversation towards things I think would be beneficial for you, such as providing feedback and learning new skills and concepts.
Sessions involve a combination of processing events, thoughts and feelings, developing new and better views of yourself and the world, and learning new skills to help you navigate life more effectively. I frequently utilize experiential exercises in session. Laughing and crying are the norm!
I draw from a variety of approaches and use evidence-based practices (techniques proven to be effective). My go-to modalities are Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), both of which are considered offshoots of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). For trauma, I most often utilize Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT). I like to explore attachment styles and how those impact your current relationships. I encourage practicing exercises at home and provide recommendations for books, podcasts, apps, and videos to enhance what we do in therapy.
I believe that change best happens when we learn to accept where we are while simultaneously challenging ourselves to do better.
What Makes Me Unique
Each therapist brings different strengths to the table. Here are some things that I have to offer:
Personal experience allows me to get how hard, scary, and lonely life can seem. I have a real passion for seeing others experience the kind of healing I've found in my own life. I may not have been through what you have, but I can assure you I know what it's like to struggle.
We are multi-faceted beings and we all have things we are ashamed of, whether it be something from the past or something we're struggling with in the present. I am a zero judgement therapist. There is nothing you could share with me that would result in judgement on my end. My desire is to accept you completely as you are. I believe it is only when we are radically accepted for who we are that we are then free to change.
I have 8 years of experience giving psychological assessments to identify and differentiate between mental health disorders. I believe that correctly identifying the problem is essential to successful treatment, and I can help you unravel the complexities of your symptoms.
I keep a small case load of clients, so I can devote more energy into the ones I have. You will not be just a number. I truly value each and every client and am committed to doing the very best I can for each one.
The mental health field is evolving at an incredibly fast pace which makes it important to stay current with what's working and what isn't. I place a high value on keeping up with research and expanding my skills and knowledge. You can usually find me reading multiple therapy books at a time, listening to mental health podcasts, attending seminars and workshops, and having lively conversations with my fellow colleagues.
I'm flexible and receptive. If there is something new you'd like to try, I'll explore it with you.
I grew up in a small town in upstate New York. I came to Georgia for college and never left! I love ballroom dancing, watching cat and dog videos, reading, yoga and pilates, hiking, my King Charles Cavalier Spaniel Shelby, playing tennis with my daughters, anything Harry Potter, and being a mom.
