My Philosophy

Everyone gets stuck somewhere along their personal journey which often requires another set of eyes to help see the bigger picture and the path or paths to getting unstuck.

With more than 30 years in practice as a licensed psychologist, I offer psychotherapy to high-functioning individuals to recover from past childhood, familial, and societal trauma, to add a large library of coping skills, to improve emotional regulation, to find greater meaning and purpose, and to maneuver through work, relationships and interpersonal dynamics more gracefully.

Therapy is your journey. If you invite me to walk beside you, we will enter a relationship that is based on trust, honor and respect. As we walk along your path, I will offer you my best critical thinking, understanding, compassion, and the most up to date psychological and neuroscientific findings and knowledge based on more than 30 years of working in this field. I am adept at understanding the relationship between current dysfunctional adaptations to past traumas and maladaptive familial settings.

Recognizing and processing trauma on one’s own can be overwhelming. In my practice, I offer a safe space for you to work through past traumatic experiences. I can help you build acceptance, resilience, and self-compassion necessary to create your new narrative. In psychotherapy sessions, I never proceed faster or further than you can safely go. I am adept at following the somatic responses of trauma.

For more than 30 years, meaning-making continues to be an integral aspect of my practice. Because my doctoral degree is in Transpersonal Psychology, the search for purpose and meaning has informed my studies. Research shows that living a meaningful life increases one’s satisfaction. I will honor and respect your meaning whether it includes, but is not limited to, nature, spirituality, service to society, race or climate change, religion, money, philosophy, personal relationships and family, psychedelics and shamanic practices, athletics, music, Burning Man culture, or pleasure.

The majority of my clients are high-functioning, and I can offer my expertise in addressing common interpersonal and intrapersonal issues that arise in professional offices, corporations, start-ups or institutional settings. My studies in psychology have prepared me to competently deal with issues such as problematic boundaries, low self-esteem and low self-worth, procrastination, and imposter syndrome. Although this is now termed “coaching,” this been the province of psychotherapy for many decades.

Throughout my years in practice, I have perfected the art of knowing when to listen quietly and compassionately, when to offer up practical advice and tools, and when to point out an unconscious dynamic that may be driving maladaptive or self-sabotaging behavior. In practicing for more than 30 years, I am uniquely qualified to offer you psychotherapy with prioritizing warmth and competence in a professional setting.

Free 30 Minute Consultation

Finding your therapist can be a frustrating process, and I deeply respect your process of finding the right therapist for you. That’s why I offer a free 30 minute initial video consultation to help you decide if you would like to work with me.

Contact Dr. Lisa

Ask a question or book an appointment below.
For emergencies call 911 or visit your nearest hospital.

(415) 643-0154

Remote tele health in California

drlisa@lisashieldsphd.com