I am an experienced therapist who has worked with individuals, couples, and families for over 30 years in the Austin area. I am dedicated to helping my clients through major life transitions like a marriage crisis, mid-life changes, separation, divorce, parenting issues, and accomplishing new personal goals.
over
30 years
as a psychotherapist
over
180
court-ordered cases
over
17 years
teaching parenting
Education & Training
- LCSW
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Texas
License #20292 Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council
(click above to check Lisa’s license – you must search for it yourself unfortunately) - Masters in Social Work
Simmons School of Social Work Graduate School – Boston Massachusetts - BA, BEd
Simmons College – Boston Massachusetts
Bachelors of Arts in Psychology and Education
Received Teaching Certificate in state of Massachusetts - Clinical Internships
Massachusetts Mental Health Center Hospital (a Harvard Medical School Teaching Hospital)
Mclean Psychiatric Hospital (a Harvard Medical School Affiliate)
Mclean Hospital – Clinical Therapist – Out-patient Family Unit (part of Mass General) - Post-graduate Training
Cambridge Family Institute – Cambridge, Massachusetts - Mediation Training
Certified Basic Mediation Training (TMTR-approved)
Certified Advanced Family Mediation Training (TMTR-approved) - EMDRIA-approved EMDR Basic Training
- Parent-Child Contact Problems and Reunification Therapy Training
Numerous trainings with the following instructors: Amy Baker, Bill Eddie, William Burnet, Ashish Joshi, Alyson Jones, Linda Gottlieb
Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC) - Parent Facilitation Training
Over 100 hours of training, include 40 hours in Dispute Resolution - Family Violence Training
- Texas Family Law – training in ethics in Parent Coordination and Facilitation
- Collaborative Law Interdisciplinary Training
Certified Collaborative Divorce Mental Health Professional - Certified Love & Logic Parent Facilitator
- Member of the Parental Alienation Study Group (PASG)
Experience
Counseling
I began counseling adults, children, adolescents, and families in Boston, Massachusetts in the late 1980s and have worked as a psychotherapist for over 30 years. I trained with leading mental health professionals at two Harvard teaching hospitals and completed my postgraduate studies at the Cambridge Family Institute. I have been in private practice for 34 years, providing treatment to countless individuals and families experiencing depression, anxiety, trauma, eating disorders, dysfunctional family dynamics, and divorce-related issues.
Court
I have extensive training and experience working within the Texas family court system. I have served families and courts in the Texas counties of Bastrop, Bee, Brazos, Burnet, Collin, Dallas, Harris, Hays, Matagorda, McLennan, Travis, and Williamson, as well as courts in Florida, Arizona, and North Carolina. I have worked on more than 180 court-ordered cases and offer consultation and resources to attorneys and parents navigating complex divorce matters, including those involving parent–child contact problems.
I began my work with the Texas courts as a Guardian Ad Litem (GAL), where I had dozens of cases. I have worked with 12 county courts in Texas and have over 10 years of experience with the family court system. While I no longer do GAL work, I continue as a court-ordered Reunification Therapist, Parent Facilitator/Coordinator, Co-Parent Therapist, and Individual Therapist.
Parenting
Parenting a child through divorce requires a specific set of skills. During this process, many parents unintentionally make common mistakes that can strain their relationship with their child. With over 17 years of experience teaching parenting workshops and seminars, I provide practical strategies and skill-building support to help parents avoid these pitfalls, reduce conflict, and maintain a meaningful connection with their child—even in high-conflict situations.
Style
I have an interactive, directive style and believe in setting concrete achievable goals, and my counseling style is based on a great deal of brain research and therapeutic training. In addition to being a therapist with a relational, systems approach, I am a trained mediator and believe in win/win scenarios for my clients.