Wow, I am so very humbled and excited in writing this today.  The dream of starting my own practice seemed so far away just a few years ago.  First, let me introduce myself:  My name is Lisa and I'm a lifelong resident of Northeast Ohio.  I am a proud grandmother, mother, sister, and wife.  

Having lived my own journey with ups and downs, I knew for most of my years that my ambition was to be able to serve and help others.  With a lot of hard work (and some great support) I was given the opportunity to achieve my Bachelor's Degree in Social Work from the University of Akron.  I was then accepted into the accelerated Master's Degree program there, and soon found myself ready to start my path as a Licensed Social Worker.  

Over the years I have gained an incredible amount of knowledge and experience from the various capacities of work that I have been fortunate enough to find.  

My path led me to working with diverse youth in sheltered facilities, partnering with our local courts to assist juveniles through Multisystemic Therapy, outpatient care with adolescence in school, adults within an office setting, and specialized techniques to assist individuals and families with developmental disabilities.  

During this time, I was able to adapt and add to my clinical repertoire where I would not only become a Licensed Independent Social Worker with Supervision Designation and a trained EMDR therapist, but most importantly, grow my passion for real change for those suffering from Mental Health.  

I am thankful for all that has been given to me professionally in these years and know that I would not be ready for this step without the tremendous growth I have earned along the way.  Today I find myself with the great opportunity to continue to expand my hope for the individuals of this county and the next.  

My promise to you is that I will bring an unrivaled passion to do what I can to assist you however you may need.  While I may not be able to fix every dynamic that comes my way, I can tell you that by meeting you where you are, hearing you, and applying all that I have, I will work tirelessly to try.  

In my years, I have met so many amazing counselors and should I believe that there is someone more suited for your specific situation, then I will ensure you get the best therapy for success.  

In the end, my dream is not only to start this private practice, but to be part of a better and healthier community for the future. 

It feels a little surreal to be writing a website profile. It seems like just yesterday that I was waiting to hear whether or not I had been accepted into grad school, and yet here we are on the other side.

I've been interested in canine-assisted therapy for years, so I was thrilled when Dora and I recently got certified as a team with the Alliance of Therapy Dogs. She is a labrador mix and an American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen. Dora is friendly, calm, and emotionally responsive, and I am excited to use her in sessions. After an initial meeting, we can discuss whether or not you want to integrate her into your therapy.

My life has been somewhat tumultuous, and I've studied a wide array of topics while trying to find my path. My bachelor's degree is in Creative Writing from the University of Akron and my master's is in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Liberty University. Today, I'm building a life that allows both time for helping people to heal and for pursuing my own hobbies.

My internship was at a residential drug rehabilitation facility, and my clients taught me a lot about trauma, control, life in prison, and our need to be seen as people instead of labels. I am honored by the trust they placed in me, especially those who did not choose rehab for themselves. I hope to bring the same humble curiosity forward with me into my future work.

I am a member of the Association for Creativity in Counseling, and I am open to integrating art, music, and writing into therapy. I'm receiving training supervision from an art therapist, so we will also be able to benefit from her experience. Whether you've been creating something on your own or you want to try using something other than talking to process feelings and events, I would be happy to explore that with you.

I have a person-centered approach to therapy, which means that I see each client as an individual and the main contribution I want to give them is acceptance instead of advice. I also resonate with the attachment-based viewpoint, which basically means that I think that our past relationships shape our future ones and our view of ourselves. I enjoy working through people's pasts and giving them a safe place to experience difficult emotions or speak the words that have been hanging over them.

Lastly, I want to commend you for considering therapy. I don't know what brought you to this point, but it can be an intimidating process. Please give yourself freedom to consider your options and find someone that you think will work well with you. If it doesn't work out, it's ok for you to try again with someone else.