Many years of providing mental health care to families, children and adults in community health centers, outpatient clinics and inpatient mental health units have given me vast experience with a variety of mental health diagnosis and treatment modalities. I have appreciated working with clients with depression, anxiety/trauma, Bipolar and Schizophrenia. I also appreciate the struggles that people diagnosed with personality disorders (truly a relational experience) especially Borderline and Antisocial Personality Disorders. Further, the influences of mind altering substances on mental health always must be considered and addressed. The relationship between a psychiatric provider and a client can be a powerful tool in combatting mental illness. Psychiatry allows for clients to discuss symptoms and how they interfere with aspects of their lives and offer medications that can bring balance back to their neurological system. This is a process that permits a client to be prepared for counseling or therapy to further their progress. Every person that meets with me is unique and their experience requires exploration and options for care need to be considered. As a former therapist and a psychiatric provider I bring both skills to meetings with clients. Bringing the science of psychiatry and the art of therapy to meetings the client's goal are determined, review and amended as the client needs. It is the client's life thus they determine the goal; provide guidance, support and medications.

What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?

Over the years, I worked in various settings, inpatient and outpatient. This has provided me with a wide range of experience in managing Anxiety and Trauma, Depression, Bipolar Disorder, and Schizophrenia on a continuum of severity. Each client's symptoms uniquely interfere with their life. Each client presents with different strengths, challenges, and resources. A client can expect basic questions about experiences between meetings, the client's perception of symptoms during this interval, and interventions used over time. Also, areas that have improved or remained the same, new or repeated stressors, and other factors like relationships, career, finances, and family. Finding resilience in every client is imperative for health

What treatment methods and tools do you utilize?

Interventions are multimodal. The first line of consideration is modifiable risk factors: sleep, diet/water, activity level, and chronic illnesses. The following line is coping skills and supports; then, medications are vital in aiding in the transition from symptomatic to resolution of symptoms. Sometimes allowing a client to process through experiences/feelings can permit greater insight, but other times direct intervention with specific CBT skills can be helpful. Occasionally, practicing communication techniques can be helpful. Each person requires individual assessment and intervention; finding solutions and motivation to get to the goal is the role of the provider-client team.

Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.

I am a dedicated team member that provides support and encouragement for achieving life goals. I provide a forum for clients to address the issues that interrupt the path to their whole lives. In some settings symptoms can be well controlled and in others they are held at bay. The most important factor is developing coping skills to navigate their lives with as much joy as possible. The therapeutic relationship is most important to building a healthy lifestyle. Medications can bring balance into mental health issues that divert clients from full lives. As a team, you will find we are equal members that are equally necessary to build your goals. You, the client, is the director of your life; my role is to assess, support, build and encourage you to get to your true path.

About Lisa Clement-DeFalco, PMHNP-BC