Hi, I am Lisa Allison- a Licensed Independent Social Worker and Educational Specialist in School Psychology. I have over 20 years experience as a Licensed Therapist. I have been certified as a School Psychologist as well. I graduated from The Ohio State University with a Masters in Social Work and National Louis in Chicago with an Ed.S in School Psychology. I am board certified in Ohio and Illinois. I have worked in a private practice, a variety of inpatient, out patient and residential settings. I have experience in schools, hospitals, treatment centers, cancer wellness facilities and as a consultant. My different experiences inspire me to draw from my past to best help a variety of clients. I encourage and empower my clients to effectively use their own strengths and skills in order to improve their lives and relationships. I enjoy helping people recognize and utilize their strengths to modify their weaknesses. We all have areas that can use a little improvement, the key is to maximize strengths to compensate for the weaknesses. I access several different approaches to treatment based on what works best for each individual. Creating the therapeutic relationship and establishing trust are the foundation for effective therapy. I believe that clients are the most knowledgeable experts about themselves. I see therapists as a vehicle to empower and encourage clients. Most clients find the validation they need to inspire change and reach their goals. I am trained in family systems therapy, therefore, I utilize an understanding of family history and generational patterns. For some clients the past is not as important as the here and now, therefore short term goals to deal with current issues for a better quality of life may be a more practical approach to treatment. I integrate different modalities based on each individual client’s needs and preferences. Examples of these modalities are cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness, motivational interviewing, meditation, hypnosis, and my personal favorite – solution resolution therapy. I like when clients can accomplish their goals without feeling worn out by the lengthy process and beaten down by the financial strain. I appreciate that time and money do not come in an unlimited surplus for most people. My background and expertise include helping people with a variety of issues that include anxiety, stress, depression, trauma, grief, life transitions, self esteem, motivation, divorce, confidence building, mood disorders, relationship concerns, family dynamics, couples counseling, support groups, social skills groups, emotional stress, life and work challenges, academic and school related concerns, eating disorders, loss, cancer, illness support and most recently stress and life changes due to Covid.