Lisa Rakusin, LCSW

Lisa Rakusin is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in California with 11 years of professional experience. She works with adults facing stress, anxiety, trauma, grief, life transitions, and anger, among other concerns. Lisa frames clients as the experts on their own stories and treats practical strengths as starting points for change.

Her approach blends several evidence-informed methods. She uses attachment-based ideas to look at how close relationships shape feelings and reactions. She draws on client-centered work to keep sessions focused on each person's concerns and pace. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is used to notice and shift unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns.

Lisa also incorporates emotionally-focused techniques to help people recognize and regulate strong feelings. For clients who have been through trauma, she may include EMDR elements when appropriate and agreed upon. Sessions tend to be straightforward and focused on skills people can use between meetings.

She often helps people manage anger that shows up at home or work, or that builds up into long-term resentment. Lisa talks through concrete ways to respond differently to triggers, reduce reactivity, and repair strained relationships when that is a goal.

Her style centers on collaboration and steady pacing. Lisa works with practical goals like improving sleep, lowering daily stress, or repairing communication. She encourages small, sustainable changes and checks in about what is and isn’t working as therapy progresses.

How her approaches translate to online work