Works with
- Anger
- Trauma and abuse
- Grief
- Bipolar disorder
- Depression
- Compassion fatigue
How Lisa works
- Not listed
Practical facts
- Credentials
- LPC
- Licensed in
- Virginia
- Years in practice
- 20
- Languages
- English
- Session format
- Online, through our partner platform
About Lisa
Lisa Tomala is a Licensed Professional Counselor who helps people manage strong emotions and difficult life events. She works with adults facing anger, anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, and struggles with substance use or life transitions. Her approach is practical and grounded, aimed at helping people reduce symptoms and regain control day to day.
With 20 years of experience, Lisa blends several evidence-informed methods to meet each person's needs. She pays attention to early life patterns and current triggers.
Background and approach
That helps uncover why certain reactions happen and what can shift them. Sessions move at an individual pace. Lisa focuses first on what feels most urgent, then adds skills to manage emotions and behavior.
She uses direct conversation, goal-setting, and short-term strategies so people see concrete changes between sessions. For clients who want to include spiritual beliefs, Lisa can weave Thomistic philosophical principles into the work when appropriate. She emphasizes practical steps alongside deeper reflection, helping people create new meaning after loss or change.
Lisa aims to build a space where people can speak honestly without judgment. She guides clients through problem solving, coping skills, and behavior changes so they can reduce distress and live more intentionally. Outside of work she enjoys painting, hiking, family time, and caring for her Australian Cattle Dog.
What Lisa works with
Everything Lisa lists, in the therapist's own terms. Anger is the reason this directory exists; the rest tells you what usually sits alongside it in Lisa's practice.
- Trauma and abuse
- Grief
- Bipolar disorder
- Depression
- Compassion fatigue
- Stress, Anxiety
- Addictions
- Relationship issues
- Family conflicts
- Intimacy-related issues
- Sleeping disorders
- Parenting issues
- Anger management
- Self esteem
- Career difficulties
- Coping with life changes
- ADHD
- Abandonment
- Aging and geriatric issues
- Attachment issues
- Avoidant personality
- Body image
- Cancer
- Caregiver issues and stress
- Chronic pain, illness, and disability
- Co-morbidity
- Codependency
- Commitment issues
- Communication problems
- Control issues
- Coping with natural or human-caused disaster
- Dependent personality
- Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)
- Divorce and separation
- Drug and alcohol addiction
- Emptiness
- Family of origin issues
- Family problems
- First responder issues
- Forgiveness
- Guilt and shame
- Hospice and end-of-life counseling
- Impulsivity
- Infidelity
- Isolation / loneliness
- Jealousy
- Life purpose
- Midlife crisis
- Veteran and Armed Forces Issues
- Money and financial issues
- Mood disorders
- Obsessions, compulsions, and OCD
- Panic disorder and panic attacks
- Paranoia
- Personality disorders
- Postpartum depression
- Post-traumatic stress
- Process addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)
- Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
- Self-harm
- Sexual assault and abuse
- Smoking / vaping cessation
- Social anxiety and phobia
- Workplace issues
- Young adult issues
How Lisa’s Methods Fit into Online Care
Lisa uses a mix of approaches that translate well to remote work. Cognitive-behavioral techniques focus on identifying unhelpful thinking and practicing new behaviors; these are taught in-session and practiced between sessions to reduce anger and anxiety. Psychodynamic ideas look at patterns rooted in early experience and how they show up now; that can help explain recurring relationship and self-esteem issues. Motivational interviewing is used when change feels hard, helping people clarify goals and find their own reasons to act.Choosing the right method is collaborative. Lisa will listen to your goals, try out approaches, and adjust based on what helps most. The process often combines skill-building with deeper reflection so clients gain immediate tools and longer-term insight.
Online formats offer practical benefits. Video calls let you work face to face when a full discussion is helpful. Phone sessions require less bandwidth and can fit into a busy day. Live chat and text-based messaging are useful for short check-ins, quick skill reminders, or when typing about feelings feels easier. These options provide flexibility so therapy can fit into everyday life while focusing on meaningful change.
Questions people ask about Lisa
What kinds of concerns does this therapist help with?
Lisa supports people with anger, anxiety, depression, trauma and grief. She also assists with substance concerns, parenting strain, sleep problems, ADHD, and life transitions.
What is the therapy style and approach?
Work is practical and paced to the individual. Lisa blends psychodynamic thinking with cognitive-behavioral tools, motivational interviewing, and solution-focused strategies.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has 20 years of experience working with adults on mood, trauma-related issues, and substance concerns.
What credentials and location are listed?
Lisa holds the Licensed Professional Counselor credential (LPC) and practices in Virginia.
Which languages are sessions offered in?
Sessions are offered in English.
What session formats are available?
Therapy can be delivered by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.
How does payment and cost work?
Cost varies with location and therapist scheduling. Sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with this therapist?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, completing a short matching questionnaire, and scheduling according to the therapist's availability.