A Space to Feel Understood and Empowered
Lisa offers a grounded, collaborative approach to therapy where clients feel safe to explore at their own pace. Her work is guided by the belief that change begins when we feel deeply seen not judged and supported with tools that are effective in daily life.
Clients come to therapy with Lisa seeking relief from anxiety, overwhelm, stress, sadness, or relational conflict. What they often discover is a renewed sense of comfort in their own skin, greater emotional resilience, and a growing ability to meet challenges with clarity and calm.
Lisa works with individuals, couples, and families, tailoring each session to the unique needs, goals, and life circumstances of her clients.
Somatic and Insight-Oriented Therapy
Lisa integrates somatic therapy, a body-based approach to emotional healing, into her sessions. As a Somatic Experiencing® Practitioner, she helps clients notice how their bodies respond to stress or threat, and gently guides them in shifting those responses to support greater ease, regulation, and vitality.
Her approach is also informed by:
- Psychodynamic and attachment-based theory
- Emotionally Focused Therapy and IMAGO for couples
- Positive Discipline® and Neufeld Institute training to support parents and caregivers
Lisa has also completed advanced training in Somatic Touch Work with renowned teacher Kathy Kain. Somatic Touch Work helps clients regulate the nervous system and access deeper layers of safety, embodiment, and connection. Through gentle, attuned touch, this approach supports the body in unwinding patterns held from developmental and attachment trauma—inviting restoration at a pace that feels safe and organic. When she and her clients agree it would be beneficial, Lisa incorporates gentle, non-invasive touch to support nervous system regulation and physical–emotional integration.
Educational and Professional Background
Lisa holds a:
- Bachelor of Science in Psychology, University of Victoria (British Columbia, Canada)
- Master of Arts in Marital and Family Therapy, University of San Diego
- Master’s in Public Administration, New York University
She spent 10 years in non-profit and healthcare management before transitioning into clinical work.
Lisa has served as a Collaborative Care Therapist in UC San Diego’s Department of Internal Medicine, providing integrated mental health support within a primary care setting.
At UCSD’s Palliative Care Department, Lisa worked as a Research Therapist, offering Dignity Therapy to hospice and palliative care patients—supporting them in reflecting on their life stories and creating legacy documents for loved ones.
Previously, Lisa was the Director of Research Administration at the NYU Child Study Center / Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, where she oversaw the department’s research enterprise and supported the advancement of evidence-based care for children and families.
What Clients Say
Clients come to therapy with Lisa seeking relief from anxiety, overwhelm, stress, sadness, or relational conflict. What they often discover is a renewed sense of comfort in their own skin, greater emotional resilience, and a growing ability to meet challenges with clarity and calm.
Clients often describe their sessions with Lisa as calming, insightful, and empowering. Lisa is especially passionate about helping people transform survival strategies into new patterns rooted in connection, presence, and self-compassion.