I am a licensed psychologist with an office in Mission Viejo, California. I hold a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from Purdue University.

My mission is to use psychotherapy to help you find real solutions to the problems you are facing. I have helped clients overcome their biggest challenges to realize their life goals. My private practice focuses on helping individuals and couples reestablish a lasting and healthy connection. Relationships also play a huge role in individual counseling. Whether a client is struggling in a relationship with a loved one or could use support to overcome a life challenge, the ways we connect to others can be a real game-changer.

I am endlessly fascinated by relationships. In movies, books, or stories, the relationship is the thing that hooks me. In our therapy sessions together, I will definitely want to hear about your major relationships.

Education

I lived on the California Central Coast years ago. I left San Luis Obispo to attend Biola University (B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Biblical Studies) and I later obtained a master’s degree at California State University, Fullerton (M.S. in Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapy). Then, I moved to Indiana to attend Purdue University’s doctorate program (Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology). It was a time filled with a lot of training in counseling psychology, research, and writing.

Research and Work

My research focused on my passion: relationships. I studied and wrote my dissertation on adult attachment and intimacy. What I found was that when it comes to relationships, our connection with our parents and caregivers growing up can influence the relationship we have with our loved ones as adults. If, for instance, we had a secure attachment with our mom and dad, that can impact our future relationships in very significant and positive ways. If our bond with our parents was on shaky ground, we’re going to notice some big challenges in our later relationships that we will have to overcome. I wanted to know, as a psychologist, how I could help individuals and couples overcome these major obstacles. It comes down to the emotional bond or connection we establish with one another. I learned how to help couples use even their toughest disagreements as an opportunity to build a stronger connection. During my graduate training, I worked in community clinics, university counseling centers, and a rotation working with fully certified Gottman therapists providing couples therapy. It is a research-based approach with proven techniques that I use with my clients today.

Serving Orange County and the State of California

Returning to Orange County where I grew is like coming home. I love it here, and I am delighted to connect with people from all over Orange County: from Irvine, Tustin, Laguna Beach, and down to Dana Point. The flexibility of virtual sessions with clients all over the state of California allows me a greater reach to help people from lots of areas discover the paths to becoming their best selves. My office hours in Mission Viejo are on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 9 am to 6 pm.

 

What Do Clients Call Me?

Most clients just call me Lisa or Dr. Lisa.

 

Get In Touch

Change starts today with a free 15-minute phone consultation.

Clients Are Saying…

“I immediately felt at ease. I could tell I was in the hands of a capable professional who could improve my thought process and my life skills.” Read more…