LISA Jonsson PsyD, LMFT, MS

I have extensive experience working with couples through relationship, pre-marital counseling, and marital counseling. Sometimes couples lose their way and it's a matter of working together to re-integrate the values that are important in a relationship. That may be done by way of learning new ways to appreciate one another and maximizing communication skills.

Grief is a very complicated topic. One that historically, we have difficulty with navigating. There is no right or wrong way to grieve a death of someone close, a relationship or a job loss. What is important is to honor grief emotions as they come up rather than negate that they exist. I help clients through these trying times by creating a safe space to process their grief as well as by providing suggestions and resources to move through it.

Anxiety can really start to affect functionality. Your body may begin to provide signs in the form of physical manifestations or through panic attacks. I work with clients in creating a tool-kit to increase skills that will reduce anxiety through various approaches. It may be as simple as adjusting and reorganizing current functioning, systematic desensitization, and incorporating sound self-care measures to mitigate anxiety.

This approach is a helpful, solution centered approach that encompasses many tools to help a clients build their skillset. I work in a collaborative manner with clients to come up with goals. There may be focus on some "homework" that clients are empowered to try at home as well as cognitive restructuring exercises to help maximize potential.

When working with clients, I encompass and worldview, multi-cultural perspective. Coming from a multi-cultural background myself, I seek to understand my clients and validate their experiences.

Our family of origin helps shape who we are as adults. Understanding our choices and behavior then allows for self-reflection and self-awareness. I work with clients to help build on internal resources.