Send me a message and we can set up a free 15-minute consultation.
Lisa Columbo
Licensed Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
MY APPROACH
My 35+ years of experience working with foster, adoptive, kinship, and birth families as well as focused attachment theory training and work have provided me with a highly valued understanding of those who have experienced complex family dynamics, trauma, abuse, and/or neglect. These things have a sneaky way of showing up in surprising ways.
With this knowledge, we will develop tools and strategies to ease depression, calm anxieties, and open your social engagement system. If you wish to focus on helping your children, we will use this work to shift your relationship with them in a way that will decrease their problematic behaviors. Along the way, we will notice and celebrate our progress together.
Counseling Appointments
Therapy sessions are offered through a secure online video platform, making support accessible from the comfort of your own space. This flexible option allows you to connect safely and conveniently, wherever you are.
Education and Qualifications
- Verified by Psychology Today
- Licensed by State of Virginia / 0904013079
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MSW (Master of Social Work) at Virginia Commonwealth University
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LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker) (Virginia)Feel free to ask about qualifications and training experience.
My Background
I identify as: Caucasian, Female
My style is: Inquisitive, Warm, Affirming
Training: MSW (Master of Social Work) at Virginia Commonwealth University
License type: LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker) (Virginia)
Licensed in: Virginia
My Furry Little Helpers
Connection To the Dreamcatcher
The dreamcatcher seems to embody much of who I am, how I see the process of therapy, and the goal of our work together:
Dreamcatchers originate from the Ojibwe tribe, the Anishinaabe people. The Dreamcatcher is made to honor Asabikeshi, the spirit named The Spider Woman. Spiders are caring mothers who carry their children on their backs and their webs protect us from bad insects. The Spider Woman cared deeply for all of her children and all the people, so she would visit every cradle-board of every baby to keep away bad thoughts and illness each night. As the people grew in number, it became impossible for The Spider Woman to reach everyone. Feeling her pain, the mothers, grandmothers, and sisters wove dream catchers so that everyone could be protected and allow The Spider Woman to continue protecting her children. The web of the dreamcatcher is meant to catch bad dreams of the night from reaching us like a spider web would stop dangerous insects. When the morning sun shined upon it, the caught bad dreams of the dark night would dissipate like dew drops in the light of day.
Similarly, The Lakota legend shares the story of the dreamcatcher from their spiritual leader who had a vision of Iktomi, a trickster and searcher for wisdom who appeared as a spider. Iktomi spun a web in the circle of life explaining how forces, both good and bad, influence the path we walk. The dreamcatcher serves as a tool to capture the good forces. The core idea being that fending off negativity will bring peace.
While no symbol can reverse bad thoughts, illness, or trauma, it can be a powerful symbol of unity and care for people affected by those things. Over time, it has become a wider symbol of hope and healing. My use of this symbol is in respect and appreciation for it’s origins in Native American culture and share this history to revere the authentic essence of the dreamcatcher. Watch this video to learn more about dreamcatchers.
My most authentic self arises when I am supporting others toward healing by understanding your journey that has brought us together, listening to who you are, and shining a light on your authentic self through our safe and protected journey together towards understanding, hope and healing. I personally get filled up and am most at peace when I feel the sun shining on my face, hear the wind rustling through the tree leaves, and am afloat on the moving water taking me around the next bend along with one of my trusted friends.
