- 20 years experience
- LPC in Virginia
- Faith-integrated options
About Lisa
Lisa Tomala is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) with 20 years of experience helping people facing anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, addiction, and stress. She also supports those struggling with bipolar symptoms, sleep problems, parenting strain, and challenges with self-esteem or career changes. Lisa writes simply and directly in sessions and focuses on practical steps clients can try between meetings.
She uses a mix of approaches rather than one single method. That includes psychodynamic ideas about how early experiences shape behavior, cognitive-behavioral tools to change unhelpful thinking and actions, motivational interviewing to strengthen motivation for change, and solution-focused strategies to set small, achievable goals. Sessions tend to move at the client's pace and focus first on current symptoms.
Lisa has worked with adults and teens who have faced trauma, depression, substance use, and major life transitions. She says personal experience with grief helps her relate to clients who are coping with loss. For clients who want to include faith in therapy, she can bring in principles of Thomistic philosophy when requested.
Her approach is collaborative and straightforward. She aims to help people identify root causes, reframe patterns that no longer serve them, and build new habits that support better daily functioning. Lisa emphasizes practical change over labels and helps people create a new, healthier way of living.
Outside of work she spends time with family, her Australian Cattle dog, and enjoys painting and hiking.
How therapeutic approaches translate to online care
Lisa commonly blends psychodynamic ideas and cognitive-behavioral techniques in her work. Psychodynamic work looks at early life experiences to understand repeating patterns, which can help with long-standing relationship and attachment concerns. Cognitive-behavioral techniques focus on identifying and changing unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, and these tools are often useful for anxiety, depression, sleep problems, and coping with life changes.Choosing the best approach is a team effort. She will talk with each person about goals, symptoms, and preferences and then try methods that fit. If something isn’t working, she adjusts the plan so it better matches what the person needs and wants.
Confirm the current online session options before booking, as formats are not specified here. Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy life, reduce travel time, allow shorter check-ins during a work break, or let someone choose sessions without being on camera when they prefer. Licensed professionals can use these formats to keep continuity of care while helping people manage stressors and build new habits.
Areas of focus
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does Lisa help with?
She helps people managing trauma and abuse, grief, depression, bipolar symptoms, anxiety, addictions, stress, relationship and intimacy issues, sleep concerns, parenting strain, ADHD, and related areas.
How would you describe her therapy style?
Her style is practical and collaborative, using short-term goals and deeper exploration as needed. She moves at the client's pace and focuses on current symptoms while addressing underlying patterns.
What is her professional background?
Lisa has 20 years of experience and has worked with active-duty service members, teens, and adults facing PTSD, depression, trauma, substance use, and life transitions.
What credentials and location are listed?
She is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and practices in Virginia.
In which languages are sessions offered?
Sessions are offered in English only.
Can international clients work with her?
International clients are not currently accepted.
How does pricing and payment work?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin therapy with her?
Use the Start Therapy button, fill out a short matching questionnaire, and schedule based on therapist availability.