Lisa O'Brien, MS, LPC

I want to help you feel better. Whether you are struggling with anxiety, depression, grief, or painful relationships, I bring a deep commitment to helping you find new ways of moving forward in your life with greater awareness, compassion, and connectedness. My approach is influenced by a belief that conscious and healthy choices are developed partially through the perspective gained from deep awareness. While cognitive understanding of the causes of suffering is useful, opportunities for change increase with expanded awareness. This includes learning how your body holds subconscious material that contributes to troublesome beliefs and actions. Once subconscious material is uncovered we work together to develop new ways of responding, helping you and your relationships to feel more secure and invigorated. I am at ease working with people whose lives have been strengthened and challenged by a broad range of factors including cultural, spiritual, political, and socioeconomic influences, intergenerational mental illness or family strife, and people with difficulties unique to gender and sexual minorities.

I've been in private practice since 2009. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) registered with the state of Oregon. I am a contracted provider with United Behavioral Health. I can also provide statements called superbills you can use to submit for reimbursement if your insurance covers out-of network providers. My fee range is $140-185 for a 50-minute session. I offer a discount if you do not use my book keeping services and have a small number of openings at a reduced fee for people paying out of pocket. Because the way I work intentionally leans into our therapeutic relationship to facilitate change, I encourage you to take advantage of a free 30-minute consultation session in person or by video to help you decide if we are a good fit.

My professional experiences have taken me on a circuitous route to becoming a therapist. My career began as an artist and Professor at Oregon College of Art & Craft where I taught for 10 years. In 2000 I went to work in apparel color development for Nike, Inc for 23 years. I completed my Masters in Counseling in 2009 and started my part-time private practice in NE Portland. As many of us did during the pandemic, I got clear I wanted to spend more time doing the work I most enjoy, so in 2023 I fully shifted my focus to therapy. In addition to my professional journey I have learned a great deal from the challenges and joys of both new and enduring relationships where I am partner, mother, daughter, sister and friend. When I'm not working I love spending time with my adult daughter, my partner and my collection of fantastic friends. This often includes gardening, cooking, travel, and making things with my hands.

I am energized and inspired by the therapeutic models of Internal Family Systems Therapy (IFS) and Complex Integration of Multiple Brain Systems Therapy (CIMBS) and happily pursue advanced training in both. I participate in other complimentary trainings that incorporate the latest findings in interpersonal neurobiology, attachment theory, and other mindful, experiential therapy approaches.