Hi, I’m Lisa. I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in New Jersey, Florida, Vermont and Maine.
Some experiences can shake you to your core, while others just leave you feeling lost and confused. I am passionate about supporting:
- children and teens who have experienced childhood trauma
- equestrians struggling with regaining their confidence
- those navigating the world with food allergy anxiety.
The emotions that come with this experience can be overwhelming and confusing. You may not understand why life feels so difficult for you, but not for others. This is where we work together to move you forward.
A Supportive Place for Equestrians
We all know that our horses can be our best therapists. However, sometimes finding the extra support of a (human) therapist can be the “leg up” we need to regain confidence. Being an equestrian athlete or a horse person in general is a unique experience. The issues that equestrians face are also distinct to our sport. Our teammates are living, breathing, powerful animals.
If you’ve experienced a traumatic fall, you may find it difficult to have a confident ride again. Having a therapist who understands the horse world can provide a helpful perspective in these challenging situations. Through therapy, I will work with you to identify triggers, implement ways of coping and help you reprocess the traumatic event so it does not feel so disruptive to your life. Whether you’ve lost your heart horse, experienced a traumatic fall, or are having issues with conflict at your barn, my office is a safe and supportive place to feel accepted and begin healing.
The therapy room isn’t the only place I connect with equestrians. I also co-host the podcast Unbridled Therapists with fellow equestrian and therapist Brianna Hammerman, LPC. In our podcast, Brianna and I offer an alternative, refreshing perspective to issues we face as equestrians within this community.
I’ve also had the honor of joining Caroline Culbertson on Noelle Floyd’s Equestrian Voices Podcast to talk about Understanding Trauma + Therapy Through A Rider’s Experience.
You might be a new member of the horse community or a professional equestrian athlete. Either way, I’m here to provide understanding and guidance to help you overcome what’s holding you back.
Helping Children and Teens Thrive
There is no pain quite like knowing that your child has been hurt. It can cut you to the core of who you are as a parent. It can leave you feeling helpless, angry and raw. What you want most is to make it all better and help your child stand strong through life’s challenges.
It could be grief from a best friend moving away or anxiety about school work. Your child may be the survivor of witnessing domestic violence or experiencing sexual abuse. The weight of confusion, sadness, guilt, and fear is heavy. Moreover, you may be overwrought about how this will affect their future. Part of you may be wondering how this happened and what you can do now. Maybe you have noticed that your child is resistant and refuses to talk about their experiences. We know these events can be powerful influencers on a child’s future.
The good news is you are your child’s most powerful support. And there are resources available to you. With the assistance of a trauma therapist, you can support your child through this difficult time to reach their fullest potential in life. Through therapy, your child can tap into big feelings and learn how to express them. Art, books, and therapy games are powerful tools to bring out those hard-to-talk-about feelings. By allowing children to express themselves using a medium they are comfortable with, it gives them the space to find healing and build the skills they need to succeed.
Imagine your child able to express and manage their feelings and thoughts about their experience. Communicate with you about their needs and their struggles. Picture yourself feeling confident in the ways that you can support them. My work with you and your child seeks to help your child regain their empowerment and embrace life.
Navigating Life with Food Allergy Anxiety
As someone who personally lives with a tree nut allergy, I understand firsthand the anxiety, uncertainty, and frustration that can come with managing an allergy. It’s not just about avoiding foods—it’s about managing the constant fear of an accidental exposure, the trauma of a past reaction, and the isolation that can come with it.
I want you to know that you are not alone in this journey. Whether you’re facing the stress of navigating social situations, processing a past allergic reaction, or simply feeling overwhelmed by the day-to-day management of your allergy, I’m here to help.
I truly believe in the power of creating a safe, understanding space where we can explore these fears and anxieties together. My approach is rooted in deep empathy and compassion for the specific struggles you’re experiencing, that perhaps many others don’t understand..
I’ll meet you where you are and together we’ll develop coping strategies that work for you, helping you feel more in control and at ease. My goal is to help you reduce anxiety, heal from past trauma, and find ways to live your life fully, without the constant fear that food allergies can bring. Living with a food allergy is a deeply personal experience, and I honor the courage it takes to reach out for support. If you’re ready to start feeling more grounded and empowered, I’d be honored to walk beside you on this journey to healing and peace of mind
Why I Do This
I’m Lisa (pronouns: she/her). My passion lies in helping people overcome traumatic experiences in their lives. If you are feeling misunderstood and at a loss of where to turn to next, you can begin a new path to healing in therapy. If you’re interested in learning how you can begin this journey, schedule a phone consultation with me today.. I am proud to be located in Branchburg, NJ, serving Hillsborough, Bridgewater, Bedminster and surrounding areas. Online therapy services are offered for the states of New Jersey, Florida, Vermont, and Maine.
Here more from me about preventing child abuse:
Bio
I earned my Masters degree in social work from Rutgers University School of Social Work and my Bachelor’s degree from Kean University where I majored in psychology with a minor in sociology. I am a Reiki Level II practitioner which means I’m aware of the benefits it can bring to one’s healing journey. While I don’t utilize Reiki in the therapy room, I can connect you with a Reiki practitioner who will support our work in therapy.I was a certified public school substitute teacher in Union County and have experience navigating the school system as a school social work intern in the Plainfield School District. I also have experience in working with children and adolescents who have experienced abuse and/or neglect through Dorothy B Hersh’s Regional Diagnostic and Treatment Centers.
NJ#44SC06061600
FL #TPSW1553 (https:/flhealthsource.gov/telehealth/)
VT #089.0134966TELE
ME #LC22394
Treatment Modalities: Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) for clients under the age of 18.