Lisa McCarthy
Licensed Professional Counselor in Burke, VA.
I work with clients who are adjusting to unplanned events in their lives. I specialize in coping with chronic illness, anxiety, and other unexpected life transitions.
About me
I am Lisa McCarthy, a Licensed Professional Counselor. I bring over 30 years of experience in health-related fields to my counseling practice. This experience led me to my interest in supporting individuals who have sustained brain injuries, as well as those grappling with chronic and acute medical conditions. I have a deep understanding of the emotional complexities faced by both patients and caregivers in these situations, and I am dedicated to providing compassionate and insightful guidance during some of life’s most challenging moments.
In addition to my work with health-related issues, I am passionate about assisting adults through non-medical challenges such as divorce, relationship difficulties, and life stage transitions. I recognize that many individuals may feel hesitant to seek counseling, believing their struggles may not warrant professional support. My goal is to create an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and understood.
I aim to foster a comfortable therapeutic virtual space built on mutual respect and emotional support. By employing solution-oriented and cognitive-behavioral (CBT) approaches, I help clients gain a deeper understanding of their emotions and develop effective strategies for managing them in their daily lives.
Through a collaborative and holistic approach, I empower my clients to build and enhance their therapeutic toolkit, equipping them with the skills necessary to navigate life’s challenges with greater ease and resilience. Whether facing a significant life transition or seeking to enrich their emotional well-being, I am committed to supporting my clients on their journey toward healing and personal growth.
Specialties & Expertise
Specialties
My primary specialties are Chronic Illness, Brain Injury, Anxiety, and Life Transitions. To schedule a time with me, please click the button below.
Chronic Illness
Chronic illnesses, chronic conditions, diseases, and other prolonged health challenges often require ongoing medical care and sometimes restrict daily activities. Examples include arthritis, diabetes, heart disease, chronic kidney disease, and certain cancers, each of which calls for tailored treatment plans and lifestyle modifications which can be challenging to cope with.
While these conditions rarely resolve entirely on their own, the emotional toll they take can be just as significant as the physical effects. Chronic illness frequently impacts mental health, leading to stress, anxiety, or depression. Addressing these emotional challenges through mental health counseling is crucial for fostering resilience and enhancing overall well-being. Through counseling, individuals can learn coping strategies, strengthen their emotional resources, and reduce the burden of stress that can exacerbate physical symptoms.
Brain Injury
Whether you are the survivor of a brain injury or the caregiver of someone who has, you know that brain injuries can often come with emotional, social, and cognitive challenges. Therapy will provide a safe space to process complex emotions, such as frustration, anxiety, or depression, which often accompany brain injury. Through techniques like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and psychoeducation, counseling helps patients develop coping strategies, improve self-awareness, and regain emotional stability.
Additionally, counseling supports communication and relationship-building, which can be affected by personality changes or cognitive difficulties post-injury. The goal is to empower individuals to navigate the challenges and rebuild their lives with resilience and hope.
Anxiety & Life Transitions
Counseling provides essential support during life transitions by addressing the anxiety and emotional challenges that often accompany significant, possibly unforeseen changes. Therapy provides a safe space to process complex feelings, such as fear, uncertainty, or grief, and helps individuals develop coping strategies to manage stress effectively. Techniques like mindfulness, grounding exercises, and cognitive restructuring empower individuals to navigate the unknown with greater confidence.
Therapy also fosters personal growth by reframing challenges as opportunities for learning and resilience. It helps individuals build emotional stability, set realistic goals, and adapt to new circumstances. Through counseling, individuals will be equipped with the tools and emotional support needed to face life transitions with strength and clarity.
Expertise
Over my 30 years of experience I have gained expertise as a Certified Brain Injury Specialist (CBIS), in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and Trauma Incident Reduction (TIR).
Certified Brain Injury Specialist (CBIS)
A professional credential awarded to individuals with extensive experience working with people affected by brain injuries. This certification demonstrates advanced training, expertise, and commitment to providing high-quality care and support for individuals recovering from or living with brain injuries.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
EMDR is a psychotherapy technique designed to help individuals process and heal from traumatic memories. The technique utilizes guided eye movements or other forms of bilateral stimulation to reduce emotional distress and foster adaptive coping mechanisms.
Trauma Incident Reduction (TIR)
TIR is a technique used to help individuals process and resolve the emotional impact of past traumatic events. This structured, client-centered approach focuses on safely re-experiencing and examining unresolved traumas to reduce their negative effects and foster emotional healing. TIR includes methods like “Unblocking” to address broader life challenges beyond trauma.
Treatment Approaches
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Trauma Informed Care
Mindfulness Based (MBCT)
Attachment-based
EMDR
Motivational Interviewing (MI)
Solution Focused Brief (SFBT)
Why did I name my practice Greenspace Counseling?
A “greenspace” is defined as an area of vegetation that is set apart for recreational or aesthetic purposes in an otherwise urban environment. I imagine a weekly session of counseling just like that. It’s a space you will set aside from other areas of your life. A space that exists just for you and through our work together you may choose to plant new seeds, do some gentle pruning, pull some invasive weeds or nourish existing growth. It’s your space to grow in any way you wish to. My commitment to your greenspace is to keep it safe, offer water and nutrients when it seems to be useful and bring warmth with a bit of humor to maintain balance.
My Practice at a Glance
Individual 1-on-1 virtual sessions only via HIPAA-compliant telehealth platform
I specialize in Chronic Illness, Life Transitions and Anxiety
My sessions cost is $155 a session.
Pay by American Express, Discover, Health Savings Account, Mastercard, Visa, Zelle
I am an Out-of-Network provider. I can provide a superbill to submit to your insurance company for possible reimbursement.
FAQ
What is therapy like?
In a therapy session, you can expect a supportive and confidential space to openly discuss your thoughts, emotions, and challenges. Sessions, typically lasting 53 minutes, focus on exploring emotions, developing coping mechanisms, and addressing personal concerns like lifestyle changes or relationship dynamics.
Therapy is a collaborative process that builds on a client’s strengths to foster growth and resilience rather than providing instant solutions or direct advice. Therapists continually assess the effectiveness of the therapeutic relationship and may offer referrals if another clinician could better support the client’s needs. Through this structured professional dynamic, therapy promotes emotional well-being and empowers individuals to navigate life’s challenges.
How can therapy help with chronic illness?
Therapy provides emotional support, coping strategies, and tools to manage the psychological impact of living with a chronic medical condition. Therapy plays a crucial role in managing chronic illness by addressing the emotional and psychological challenges that often accompany long-term health conditions. It provides a safe space for individuals to process feelings of frustration, anxiety, or grief related to their illness, reducing feelings of isolation and emotional distress.
Counseling also helps develop coping strategies to manage stress, pain, and uncertainty, using techniques like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to reframe negative thought patterns and improve emotional resilience. Additionally, therapy can support individuals in navigating lifestyle adjustments, relationship dynamics, and mental health struggles such as depression, which are common among those with chronic conditions. By integrating emotional support with practical strategies, therapy empowers individuals to maintain a better quality of life while managing their illness.
How can therapy help with anxiety and life transitions?
Therapy provides essential support during life transitions by helping individuals manage anxiety, uncertainty, and emotional challenges that often accompany major changes. Whether adjusting to a new job, relationship shifts, or personal growth, therapy offers a safe space to process emotions and develop coping strategies.
Through techniques like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness, and stress management exercises, therapy helps individuals reframe negative thought patterns, build resilience, and navigate transitions with confidence. It also fosters self-awareness, strengthens emotional regulation, and enhances problem-solving skills, making life changes feel more manageable and empowering. Therapy can be a valuable tool in maintaining mental well-being and adapting to new circumstances with clarity and stability.
What does it mean to be an out-of-network provider?
An out-of-network provider does not have a contract with your insurance company. Clients are responsible for the full fee of each session at the end of the session (via credit card or Zelle). A Superbill will be provided monthly (or as requested) that can be used by the client to file for out-of-network reimbursement with their insurance provider. Insurance reimbursement for out-of-network benefits cannot be guaranteed and is subject to the terms of your specific insurance plan so please be sure to check with your provider for the specifics of your benefits.