Lisa Anderson, BS, MA, MFT

Lisa Anderson, BS, MA, MFT has been a licensed therapist for over 20 years. She earned her BS in psychology from Walla Walla University, in Washington state, graduating magna cum laude. While in college she worked as a research assistant in the psychology and sociology departments. This sparked her interest in the treatment of both anxiety and depressive disorders. She participated in research on Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) in Washington state, earning her the award of distinguished psychology graduate from her university. She went on to earn her master’s degree in clinical psychology, with an emphasis in adolescent psychology, from Azusa Pacific University in Southern California, graduating with honors.

Her 3000-hour internship included conducting therapy with high-risk adolescents, victims of abuse, and family systems therapy. She developed a positive parenting curriculum for San Bernardino County in Southern California. She spent 2 years coaching at-risk families and teaching parenting strategies to under-served, minority populations. During her internship she also received training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for treating anxiety disorders including Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). She has been fortunate to work in settings with rich diversity, including a variety of cultures, varying socioeconomic groups, and the LGBTQ+ community.

After completing her internship and passing CA state licensing exams, she received her MFT license in 1999. She spent 10 years working with self-harming and suicidal adolescents. This furthered her interest in learning more about emotional dysregulation and personality disorders, including Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD).

Lisa went on to study Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) and received intensive DBT training from Dr. Alan Fruzzetti at the University of Nevada, Reno. She has spent the last 9 years working in a 25-week high acuity DBT program, facilitating DBT skills training groups, individual therapy, family therapy, and coaching for adolescents and their families. She also mentors and supervises post-doctoral interns in their study of DBT.

Lisa has 4 children of her own, which helps her deeply understand the emotions, triggers/stressors, and exhilarating joy that comes with parenting and family dynamics. Lisa believes that reducing our fears, judgments, and vulnerabilities while practicing acceptance and mindfulness, helps us achieve a life worth living. She agrees with Sigmund Freud that “out of your vulnerabilities will come your strength.”