Lisa Wallace

As someone who identifies as queer and gender fluid, I understand all to well the complexities and confusions that can come with exploring gender and sexual identity. Who we are today might not be who we were yesterday. The process of discovering who we are, or aren’t attracted to and in what ways (romantically, sexually, neither, both) is as unique and varied as each individual. I welcome the honor of walking with you as you journey to be fully who you are.

While some might see teenage hood as a scary, tumultuous, confusing time, I see adolescence as an opportunity for great possibility and inspiration. ​I use a strengths-based approach to working with teens: most sessions are spent building teens up, helping them orient towards their resources both inner and outer and connecting with the unique qualities of teenage hood.

Although my work is rooted in Buddhist practices and philosophy, the clients I see do not always identify as Buddhist; in fact, most of my clients are not. I welcome people who have contemplative practices rooted in all religious traditions, are interested in starting a contemplative practice, or who have been hurt by faith traditions in the past and identify as atheist or agnostic.

Contemplative therapy starts with the idea that there is nothing inherently wrong with individuals, that “basic badness” is not part of the human condition. That said, because of conditions outside of their control, often people are taught the opposite. As a contemplative therapist, I awknowlege that something is wrong. I can help you explore what lead you to developing maladaptive beliefs and coping mechanisms, often just to survive, and offer you the change to discover who you truly are.

From a Social Justice Counseling perspective, we have all gone through some kind of trauma during our lives. From singular events, to smaller ongoing stressors, to living under oppressive systems, trauma touches everyone. Trauma informed therapy understands that trauma affects a person’s whole being-not just their mental cognition. Therefore, a therapist working with trauma often utilizes more than just talk therapy and finds ways to incorporate the somatic experience as well.

IFS is rooted in the belief that our internal system is complex, made up of multiple parts, with different attributes. However the part manifests, IFS believes that every part serves a purpose and needs understanding and care. Much like Contemplative Psychotherapy, the aim of IFS is to support and uncover the inherent wisdom of every individual. Through cultivating curiosity, compassion, and openness, IFS helps clients discover the inherent goodness that is already a part of them.