Alisa has over 15 years of experience providing supportive counseling to adults, adolescents/young adults (AYA), and children. Prior to opening and operating Centering Therapy MN, Alisa was a clinical social worker in a pediatric hematology / oncology program. Alisa’s specialty focus for over a decade had been providing clinical guidance to people impacted by cancer and blood disorders. Alisa has helped hundreds of families cope with the impact of an unexpected, complex health care journey.

Alisa’s counseling has offered people ways to reflect on how to live each day as well as possible in the face of adversity. Alisa has presented at Gilda’s Club on “How to Talk to Your Friends About Cancer” and facilitated the “Back To School” presentation to help parents, educators and healthcare professionals support children with cancer smoothly return to school. As part of her work, Alisa has advised schools on ways to accommodate students with cancer, sickle cell disease, or other health care conditions. Alisa’s advocacy helped students impacted by illness reach their academic and social/emotional goals.

Alisa has also been a peer to peer supporter for health care professionals. Alisa has training in second victimhood, moral distress, and identifying stress responses. Alisa has strategies and skills to offer support to other health care professionals.

Alisa has experience as a mental health mobile crisis responder, going into homes, schools, and the community. Alisa helped people get through some of the most difficult times of their lives (managing depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, and other mental health crises).

Alisa has been with people during end-of-life. She has worked with people to developing meaningful legacy as they focus on living life well during these times. After a loved-one’s death, Alisa has provided bereavement counseling to family members. Grief is an expression of love. Alisa allows space for people to express their grief.

Alisa’s clinical work is rooted in the principals of Narrative Therapy (a form of therapy that works to separate an individual from the problem and honors the individual’s expertise), equity, trauma, and grief informed care. Alisa uses a strengths-based approach that is culturally sensitive and have a specialized experience in supporting journeys of grief.