In our first session together, here's what you can expect

Your first session with me is all about creating comfort, clarity, and connection. We’ll start by getting to know each other—what brings you to therapy, what you’re hoping to work on, and what feels most important for you right now. I’ll ask gentle, open‑ended questions to understand your story, your strengths, and the challenges you’ve been carrying. You can expect a calm, welcoming space where you set the pace. There’s no pressure to share more than you’re ready for. Together, we’ll explore what’s been weighing on you, identify your goals, and begin shaping a plan that feels supportive and realistic. I’ll also walk you through how telehealth sessions work, answer any questions you have, and make sure you feel grounded before we wrap up. By the end of our first meeting, my hope is that you feel heard, understood, and hopeful about the path ahead.

The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions

I blend clinical expertise with lived experience. Many therapists are compassionate; far fewer have walked alongside children facing serious health challenges. My personal history gives me a depth of empathy that clients feel immediately. I understand overwhelm, advocacy, medical trauma, and the emotional toll of caregiving in a way that can’t be taught. Clients who feel “too much,” “too tired,” or “too responsible” finally feel understood. My style is warm, open‑minded, and deeply affirming. My presence is grounding. I don’t rush people, I don’t pathologize their pain, and I don’t make therapy feel clinical or cold. Clients experience me as someone who genuinely gets them—someone who listens with curiosity, not judgment. That emotional safety is a major differentiator. I integrate practical, evidence‑based methods with a gentle touch. I draw from CBT, DBT, family systems thinking, and trauma‑informed care—but I use these tools in a way that feels human, not mechanical. I help clients reframe anxious thoughts, build boundaries, understand patterns, and strengthen emotional resilience, all while honoring their pace and autonomy. I offer telehealth that actually feels personal. My sessions don’t feel distant or detached. I try to create a sense of closeness and comfort even through a screen, which is something not every therapist can do. Clients who might otherwise avoid therapy—busy parents, caregivers, teens, people with chronic stress—find my approach accessible and inviting. I specialize in people who feel overwhelmed, responsible for others, or disconnected from their own needs. My natural strengths align beautifully with clients who: Carry emotional or caregiving burdens Struggle with people‑pleasing or self‑neglect Feel anxious, overstimulated, or stretched thin Need a therapist who is both gentle and structured Want to understand themselves without shame I help clients reconnect with their own voice, needs, and inner steadiness. I create a space where clients feel seen, not “fixed.” My approach is collaborative. I don’t impose a rigid agenda—I build a relationship where clients feel safe enough to explore, experiment, and grow. That relational warmth is a core part of my effectiveness. In short I am unique because I combine clinical skill, lived empathy, and a deeply human presence. Clients feel safe with me, understood by me, and supported in ways that help them heal—not just cope.

The clients I'm best positioned to serve

I’m Lisbeth Greist, LCSW, and I’m dedicated to supporting individuals who are ready to explore their emotional world with compassion, honesty, and hope. My work is especially well‑suited for people who want a therapist who is warm, grounded, and deeply attuned to the realities of navigating life’s challenges. I’m a strong fit for clients who: Experience anxiety, depression, or chronic stress and want a safe place to understand their emotions and build healthier coping skills. Are healing from trauma and need a steady, affirming presence to help them process their experiences at a pace that feels right. Feel overwhelmed by caregiving roles, including parents or family members supporting loved ones with medical or emotional needs—an area I understand personally as both a mother and a partner. Struggle with relationship patterns, communication difficulties, or people‑pleasing tendencies and want to develop stronger boundaries and self‑trust. Are navigating major life transitions, such as health challenges, family changes, academic pressures, or identity exploration. Prefer the comfort and flexibility of telehealth, whether due to a busy schedule, mobility limitations, or simply wanting therapy from a familiar, private space. My Approach I bring a compassionate, open‑minded, and affirming style to every session. My personal experience as a mother and wife of children with serious health challenges informs my empathy and helps me connect deeply with clients who feel unseen, overwhelmed, or stretched thin. My mission is to create a space where you can: Feel safe enough to be honest Explore your emotions without judgment Build resilience and self‑understanding Move toward healing with support, not pressure