Hello and welcome. My name is Lisa Peredia, and I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with 13 years of experience working with adults and couples. I support individuals who feel overwhelmed by trauma, anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, or major life transitions. I currently serve as the Director of a university counseling center and am finishing my doctoral degree in Counselor Education and Supervision, where I train and supervise counselors while continuing to work directly with clients, which remains a meaningful part of my practice. I believe healing happens through safe and caring relationships, and therapy with me is collaborative and paced with care. We focus on what you are experiencing now while gently exploring patterns from the past that may still be affecting you today. My approach helps clients better understand their emotions, relationships, and responses to stress so therapy feels supportive, grounding, and practical. I am a Christian, and my faith guides me to lead with compassion, honesty, and respect, though faith or spirituality is always your choice and never forced.
In our first session together, here's what you can expect
Starting therapy can bring up a lot of emotions, and many people feel nervous or unsure about what to say in their first session. Wondering if your concerns are big enough or worrying about being judged is very common, and you do not need to have everything figured out before you begin. The purpose of our first session is to get to know each other and begin building a sense of safety and trust. You will have space to share what led you to schedule the appointment and what has been weighing on you, whether that includes current stress, past experiences, relationships, or emotional struggles. I will ask questions to better understand your life and experiences, not to overwhelm you, but to support you in a thoughtful and caring way. We will also talk about what you hope to gain from therapy, whether your goals feel clear or you are still figuring them out. Therapy is collaborative and moves at a pace that feels safe for you, with no pressure to share everything at once. You do not need to prepare anything ahead of time or have the right words. The first session is also a chance to see if working together feels like a good fit, and I welcome open conversations about that. Above all, my intention is to offer a space that feels respectful, supportive, and grounded, where you can begin caring for yourself in a meaningful way.
The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions
One of my greatest strengths as a therapist is creating a space that feels safe, calm, and supportive. I know it can be hard to open up, especially when you are carrying stress, emotional pain, or patterns that feel difficult to change. I work collaboratively and at your pace, helping you feel understood without pressure or judgment. I pay attention to how past experiences and relationships may still be affecting you today and help you explore those patterns in a gentle and practical way. I also support clients in noticing how stress and emotions show up in the body so they can feel more grounded. My Christian faith guides me to lead with compassion, honesty, and respect, while always honoring each client’s beliefs and values. Above all, I bring care and intention into each session so clients feel supported as they move toward healing and growth.
The clients I'm best positioned to serve
My ideal clients are adults and couples who feel overwhelmed, stuck, or disconnected and want support. Many people I work with struggle with anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship challenges, or major life changes. Some clients come to therapy unsure of what they need, while others know they want something to change. I work well with individuals who want to better understand themselves and with couples who want to improve communication or feel more connected. I welcome clients who want to include faith or spirituality in therapy, as well as those who prefer a more secular approach. My goal is to offer a supportive and respectful space where adults and couples can work toward healing and growth.
Trauma Informed Care
My work is grounded in a trauma-informed approach that recognizes how past experiences and ongoing stress can continue to affect emotions, relationships, and the body. Trauma can come from many sources, including relational wounds and experiences that felt unsafe or overwhelming over time. I focus on creating emotional safety while helping clients build regulation and coping skills. By supporting both emotional awareness and nervous system regulation, clients can feel more grounded, less reactive, and better supported as they move through the healing process.
Psychodynamic
My psychodynamic approach helps clients explore how early experiences and relationships shape current thoughts, emotions, and relational patterns. Many people notice they understand what they want to change, but still feel stuck repeating familiar behaviors or emotional responses. I work collaboratively with clients to gently explore these patterns with curiosity and compassion. This process supports deeper self understanding and creates space for meaningful and lasting change.
Attachment-based
Attachment-based work focuses on how early relationships influence emotional safety, trust, and connection throughout life. When attachment needs were unmet, people may experience difficulty with closeness, boundaries, or emotional regulation. I help clients explore these attachment patterns in a supportive and nonjudgmental way. By increasing awareness and emotional safety, clients can develop healthier relationships and a stronger sense of security within themselves.
Christian Counseling
Christian counseling is offered as an option for clients who want to integrate faith or spirituality into their therapy. My Christian faith influences my work through a commitment to compassion, humility, honesty, and care for the whole person. Faith integration is always client-led and never imposed. For clients who desire it, we may explore spiritual beliefs, values, or questions as part of the healing process. For those who do not, therapy remains grounded in respect, emotional safety, and support aligned with the client’s values and goals.
Compassion Focused
Compassion-focused work helps clients develop a kinder and more understanding relationship with themselves. Many people struggle with self-criticism, shame, or feeling like they are never enough, especially after experiencing trauma or relational wounds. I help clients build self-compassion by increasing awareness of inner dialogue and learning how to respond to themselves with care rather than judgment. This approach supports emotional regulation, reduces shame, and helps clients feel more grounded and supported as they move through the healing process.