LMFT, 7 years of experience
I believe in this simple recipe: the quality of our relationships impact our happiness and self-worth. As humans, we have an innate need for connection and belonging. During our work together, we will delve into underlying issues and patterns contributing to persistent unhappiness, which often precipitates substance use disorder (SUD). My own journey of recovery started in 2007, and I will bring my personal and professional experience to this relationship. I will be honest and walk through this process with you. I endeavor to cultivate a safe, nonjudgmental and collaborative environment conducive to self-expression, exploration, healing and problem-solving. I started working in this field as a Primary Counselor/Therapist at San Quentin State Prison. I continued my career at residential treatment centers such as Serenity Knolls and Bayside Marin. My professional journey in inpatient/outpatient treatment facilities for substance use disorder and co-occurring disorders dates back to 2018, supplemented by completing Drug and Alcohol Abuse Studies at UC Berkeley. As a Marriage and Family Therapist in California, I have over 7 years of experience working in mental health, where I have collaboratively worked with people struggling with PTSD, co-occurring disorders, SUDs, anxiety, depression, and relational issues, among others. I currently work at Foundations, an Intensive Outpatient Program in San Francisco and see clients virtually in my private practice. “Just because no one else can heal or do your inner work for you doesn’t mean you can, need, or should do it alone.”Lisa Olivera
The initial session is a period for you and me to get to know each other and get an idea of how to proceed. In our first session, I will focus on getting to know you and understanding your reasons for seeking therapy. I will ask about your background, current concerns, and what you hope to achieve through therapy. This includes exploring past experiences with therapy, if any, and discussing potential goals for treatment.
My greatest strengths are my ability to interact with multi-cultural backgrounds, easily bonding with people, and supplementing my education and professional experience with my personal journey. My multi-cultural life experience, academic and personal background combined with my training, education and professional experience has helped me think outside the box and bring a fresh approach to my work. Originally from Istanbul, Turkey, I value diversity and effortlessly navigate interactions with various affinity groups.
My passion lies in assisting individuals grappling with chemical dependency issues and supporting their families. I take great pride in my work, eagerly anticipate the chance to empower individuals to transform their lives and navigate the challenges posed by substance use disorders and co-occurring disorders. Co-occurring disorder refers to having a co-existing mental illness and substance use disorder. Mental health conditions that commonly co-occur with substance use disorders include anxiety disorders, depressive disorders, ADHD, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and personality disorders, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. I employ a diverse toolkit encompassing psychodynamic therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, dialectical-behavioral therapy, EMDR, solution-focused therapy, motivational interviewing and cognitive processing therapy. I tailor my approach to meet the unique needs of each individual. It is a privilege to sit with people and walk through important moments in their lives.
I have been using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) because it is a highly effective, evidence-based approach for managing a wide range of mental health and physical conditions, including depression, anxiety, SUD's, and chronic pain. CBT helps individuals develop practical skills and coping strategies to identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviors, often leading to rapid and lasting improvements in a relatively short number of sessions.
I have been using DBT to help people with significant emotional regulation problems change patterns of behavior, emotion, thought, and interpersonal interaction associated with problems in their daily lives. DBT aims to help people develop skills they can use in their daily lives to effectively manage emotions, maintain or improve interpersonal relationships, tolerate distress, and avoid behaviors that are harmful or detrimental to their quality of life.
I have been using EMDR to help individuals process and resolve traumatic memories or other distressing experiences, ultimately reducing their negative impact on the present. It aims to alleviate the emotional distress associated with these memories, allowing individuals to move forward with a healthier perspective.
I have been using psychodynamic therapy to treat various mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, and relationship problems, by helping individuals understand their past experiences and unconscious conflicts that influence present behaviors and feelings. It provides lasting benefits through self-awareness and improved interpersonal functioning, making it a powerful tool for long-term personal growth and change.
I have been using Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) to treat Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) to help individuals process traumatic events, reduce distress, and change negative thoughts, or "stuck points," that emerged after the trauma. Through the process, individuals learn to challenge distorted thoughts about themselves, others, and the world, leading to improved emotional regulation, a greater sense of safety and control, and a more balanced perspective on their experiences.