A Glimpse at Lisa Marks’s Professional Journey
Lisa Marks holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Victoria in British Columbia, Canada, a Master’s degree in Marital and Family Therapy from the University of San Diego, and a Master’s degree in Public Administration from New York University. She is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in California and brings over ten years of experience in nonprofit and healthcare management into her clinical work, allowing her to thoughtfully combine systems-level understanding with compassionate therapy.
Lisa has worked in integrated medical settings, including as a Collaborative Care Therapist in UC San Diego’s Department of Internal Medicine, where she provided mental health support within primary care. She also served as a Research Therapist in UC San Diego’s Palliative Care Department, offering Dignity Therapy to hospice patients. In this role, she supported individuals in reflecting on their lives and creating meaningful legacy documents for loved ones.
Who Benefits from Lisa’s Therapeutic Support?
Clients often come to therapy with Lisa seeking relief from anxiety, overwhelm, stress, sadness, or relational conflict. While symptom relief is an important part of the work, many clients discover something deeper—a renewed sense of comfort in their own skin, increased emotional resilience, and a growing ability to meet life’s challenges with greater clarity and calm.
Clients frequently describe their sessions with Lisa as supportive, insightful, and empowering. Her attuned, body-based, and relational approach helps individuals understand how long-standing survival strategies developed and how they can gently shift toward new patterns rooted in connection, presence and self-compassion.
- Anxiety: Somatic techniques to notice and shift bodily responses, reducing overwhelm and fostering calm.
- Overwhelm & Stress: Guidance in building resilience through nervous system regulation and mindfulness practices suited for busy lives.
- Sadness & Depression: Support to process emotions, cultivate self-compassion, and gradually rediscover motivation and joy.
- Relational Conflict: Tools for couples and families to improve connection, communication, and understanding.
- Attachment & Developmental Trauma: Gentle somatic interventions to restore safety, trust, and embodiment without re-traumatization.
- Parenting Challenges: Strategies from Positive Discipline® and Neufeld methods to strengthen family bonds and routines.
- Life Transitions: Assistance navigating change using exploring values and alignment, intuitive insights and other adaptive strategies.
- Grief & Loss: Dignity Therapy-inspired reflection for honoring experiences and creating closure at one’s own pace and learning to express grief as a reflection of deep love.
- Emotional Dysregulation: Body-based practices to promote vitality, balance, and emotional stability in daily life.
As a family therapist in San Diego, Lisa helps couples and families navigate dynamics with patience and insight. As a somatic therapist, she emphasizes mind-body connections to support holistic healing. Across her work, Lisa provides accessible, culturally responsive care, tailoring sessions to each client’s history, needs, and goals, creating a safe space where clients feel seen, heard, and equipped to thrive.
Book a Session with Lisa Marks Today
If you’re seeking guidance for personal, relational, or family matters, Lisa Marks invites you to connect in a supportive, pressure-free environment. She offers therapy tailored to your unique circumstances—whether individual, couple, or family-focused—emphasizing trust, safety, and practical skills for everyday life.
Begin with a complimentary initial consultation to explore your needs and discover how Lisa’s somatic and relational approach can support your journey toward greater ease, connection, and emotional well-being.
Certifications
Lisa Marks is a certified Somatic Experiencing® Practitioner and has completed advanced training in Somatic Touch Work with Kathy Kain, which focuses on trauma resolution and nervous system regulation. She also holds certifications in Positive Discipline® and training from the Neufeld Institute for developmental approaches, alongside her Marriage and Family Therapist license from California, ensuring comprehensive, informed care grounded in ongoing professional development and a commitment to ethical, client-centered practices.