Lisa Herendeen, LCSW

Lisa Herendeen, LCSW, MED, MSW, is a seasoned psychotherapist, educator, and supervisor with over two decades of experience helping individuals, families, and couples navigate life's complexities. Her warm, empathetic, and collaborative approach creates a safe and supportive space for clients to explore their challenges and uncover their innate strengths. Her deep commitment to providing evidence-based care is reflected in her utilization of proven techniques such as cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness, and brainspotting, tailored to meet each client's unique needs.

Her extensive background in family therapy and education has instilled in her a profound understanding of the intricate dynamics within relationships. She possesses specialized training in Emotionally Focused Therapy, Brainspotting, and attachment theory protocols like Ideal Parent, providing her with a comprehensive toolkit to address issues related to secure attachment, trauma, and relational difficulties. Drawing upon her own journey of personal growth and her years of experience in mindfulness meditation, Lisa empowers clients to embrace positive change and cultivate greater well-being.

Lisa's expertise spans across various life transitions, including the challenges of launching into adulthood, navigating the complexities of parenthood, and supporting families through divorce. She is particularly skilled in guiding families through the turbulent waters of parenting troubled teens, helping them reconnect and build healthier dynamics. Her experience in the family court system has also ignited a passion for mediation and conflict resolution, equipping her to help couples find amicable solutions to their disagreements.

Beyond her clinical practice, Lisa serves as a supervisor and occasional teacher at Shine a Light Counseling Center in Santa Cruz, mentoring and inspiring the next generation of therapists.

Services

Lisa offers a range of services designed to foster growth, healing, and positive change:

• Individual Therapy: Lisa's individual therapy approach is both insightful and action-oriented. She works collaboratively with clients to identify their goals, explore underlying patterns, and develop strategies for overcoming challenges. Recognizing the interconnectedness of mind and body, Lisa integrates embodiment techniques such as the Ideal Parent Protocol to foster a sense of secure attachment and cultivate emotional regulation. She also incorporates brainspotting, a powerful modality closely related to EMDR, to address and heal traumatic experiences.

• Couples Therapy: Lisa firmly believes that strong relationships are foundational to individual well-being. Her couples therapy focuses on enhancing communication, building empathy, and strengthening the emotional bond between partners. Utilizing Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFCT), she guides couples to understand the underlying needs and emotions driving their conflicts and develops strategies for resolving disagreements in a healthy and constructive manner.

• Divorce Coaching: Navigating the emotional and practical complexities of divorce can be deeply challenging. Lisa provides compassionate and supportive divorce coaching to individuals seeking to move through the process with greater clarity, healing, and empowerment. She helps clients establish healthy boundaries, process their emotions, and develop a clear vision for their future.

• Family Counseling: Lisa's family counseling approach addresses the unique dynamics within each family system. She skillfully guides families to improve their communication, resolve conflicts, and strengthen their bonds.

• Attachment Repair: Lisa specializes in attachment repair, helping individuals who have experienced early childhood disruptions in their attachment patterns. Through a compassionate and insightful approach, she facilitates the process of healing old wounds and developing secure and fulfilling relationships.

Education and Licensing

Lisa's dedication to her profession is reflected in her impressive educational background and licensure credentials.

• M.S.W., Monmouth University, West Long Branch, New Jersey
• M.Ed., Secondary Education/Social Studies, The George Washington University, Washington, D.C.
• B.S., Political Science, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania

Licensed Clinical Social Worker, State of California, License Number 77772

Licensed Clinical Social Worker, State of New Jersey, License Number 44SCO53526000

Licensed Social Worker, State of New Jersey, License Number 44SL051472000

Licensed Teacher, State of New Jersey, License Number 00185571