Who We Are

Lisa Mandl, LCPC

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Your symptoms from trauma, dissociative disorders, complex-PTSD, PTSD, anxiety, and depression have reached a point where your level of distress has become unbearable and you are ready to do something different. I see the challenges you face and view you as a worthy, valuable warrior who’s capable of achieving the life you want. I am deeply honored to travel the unknown path with you; to be present and support you through the darkness and follow you towards the light and a life filled with more hope and happiness. I want to help you rediscover strengths, resiliencies and insight promoting your journey towards healing.

A crucial part of therapy is our relationship. I will take the time to get to know you using a mind, body and spirit approach to build rapport and trust. You are the expert about you and together we will work to seek solutions that help you move in the direction you wish to go in.

I am a hope merchant and use an eclectic therapeutic style combining top-down modalities like Person-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Solution-Focused (Brief) Therapy and bottom-up somatic modalities like IFS (Internal Family Systems) and SE™ (Somatic Experiencing®). I am IFS (Internal Family Systems Institute Levels 1 and 2) trained and am working towards certification. I am also working towards becoming a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner (SEP) and have completed the beginning and intermediate years of training. I am working towards a DARe certification – Dr. Diane Poole Heller’s Dynamic Attachment Re-patterning Experience and have completed two of the four modules. I am EMDR trained. I am Brainspotting Phase 1 trained. I also hold a CCTP:II certification (Certified Clinical Trauma Professional  – Complex Trauma). I incorporate training I have had in using art, music and play techniques in treatment. 

I am also able to support Jewish individuals at any level of observance. I may be a good fit if you are struggling with feeling connected with community, on the path towards converting to Judaism, or if you are looking for someone to talk with about your relationship with Judaism, your relationships with others, intermarriage, or life-cycle events. I’m also able to provide support about challenging topics like the Holocaust, anti-Semitism and anti-Zionism. (עם ישראל חי) If your faith or spirituality is of importance, I fully welcome it into our space.

I also have experience with several Eastern therapeutic modalities. I’ve received training in DNAThetaHealing and Quantum Touch, and I’m a Certified Laughter Yoga Leader and a Reiki Master. I believe crystals and aromatherapy can have healing properties for many that can assist during therapy and believe oracle and tarot cards can be incredibly powerful projective tools and encourage the use of any healthy tools in treatment. I neither push nor sell any of the above and welcome you to share what you have found helpful.

I am a social justice champion who advocates for equality and fairness for all individuals regardless of their race, gender, sexual orientation, or socio-economic status. I recognize and affirm the diversity of human sexuality, gender identity, and relationship styles. I support individuals who are neurodivergent, LGBTQIA+, CNM (consensually non-monogamous), and/or kink-friendly in their journey to self-discovery, and I am committed to creating safe, supportive and brave spaces for everyone. A fundamental core value to me is that all have a right to mental health services and continuity of care regardless of their ability to afford it and/or have “the right” insurance.

I founded this practice on October 5, 2022, to support people on their journey towards mental wellness and support new or continuing clinicians as they work to obtain experience and hone their skillset in the field. In addition to counseling, I offer supervision and consultation services. I am also an adjunct professor in the College of Psychology & Behavioral Sciences masters program at National Louis University.

In my spare time, I love to read, watch Sci/Fi and dramas, play music, and be out in nature and around water with Bodhi.

 

 

Contact Lisa

 

Professional Information & Certifications:

• BA (Bachelor of Arts) Speech & Performing Arts (minor in music performance), Northeastern Illinois University
• Post-graduate hours in Interpersonal & Family Communication, Northeastern Illinois University
• MS (Master of Science) in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, National Louis University
• NCC (National Certified Counselor), NBCC (National Board for Certified Counselors)
• Illinois LCPC (Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor), IDFPR (Illinois Department of Professional & Financial Regulation), License #180.014805
• Individual NPI (National Provider Identifier), #1558926170
• Group NPI/NPI II (National Provider Identifier), #1689391500
• CCTP:II (Certified Clinical Trauma Professional – Complex Trauma), Evergreen Certifications, #532384 
• CTMH (Certified Clinical Telemental Health Provider), Evergreen Certifications, #873017
• Certified Laughter Yoga Leader
• IM + CANS (Illinois Medicaid–Comprehensive Assessment of Needs and Strengths) Certified
• Rainbows for Children Facilitator
• Reiki Master
• See Lisa’s additional training here

 

I am a proud member of:

• American Counseling Association (ACA)
• Illinois Counseling Association (ICA)
• Illinois Mental Health Counselors Association (IMHCA), Board Member
• Illinois Association for Multicultural Counseling (IAMC)
• Illinois Association for Specialists in Group Work (IASGW), Past Vice President, past presenter
• Illinois Society for Sexual, Affectional, Intersex, and Gender Expansive Identities (ISAIGE)
• Illinois Spiritual, Ethical, Religious Values in Counseling (ISERVIC)
• International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation (ISST-D)
• Northwest Suburban Chapter, a Chapter of the Illinois Counseling Association, President
• National Louis University Counseling Association (NLUCA), Past Vice President
• Somatic Experiencing® International

 

meet the team