Today we’d like to introduce you to Lisa Rist.
Hi Lisa, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I was working in the corporate world and felt that I needed something more, something rewarding that would help others. I went back to school in my 30s as a single mother to finish my undergraduate degree in Human Development. After I finished, I went to work as a social worker. I worked for nine years for Adult Protective Services, helping to keep seniors in their homes. I remarried and became a stepparent during this season of my life. I still felt like I wasn’t done and, in my 40s, decided to go back to school to earn my graduate degree in Counseling. While I was pursuing my graduate degree, I started fostering. During that time, I found myself pregnant, so I juggled midlife with a baby, a toddler foster child, and school. After graduation, I worked again as a social worker with families. I really wanted to get into the counseling field, so I took my first job as a counselor at an inpatient treatment facility with children while pursuing licensure as a counselor. From there, I moved on to outpatient counseling with the Department of Mental Health, where I continued my work toward full licensure. While working full-time at Mental Health, I also started seeing clients in private practice under the supervision of a licensed clinician. I eventually transitioned into full-time private practice. I am currently working part-time and homeschooling my youngest, but I plan to go back to full-time once she has graduated.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I dropped put of college as a junior and so going back in my 30’s was a challenge being older and a working single parent. I also started my graduate program then moved in the middle from Florida to South Carolina. After the move I ended up pregnant, so I was juggling a new born, fostering a toddler, school and internship.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
I am a Licensed Professional Counselor. I have worked with everyone from birth to the aging. I feel like my time as a social worker helped me with building rapport and connecting with people. It also helped me to hone my listening skills. I counsel teens to adults that are dealing with anxiety, depression, relationship issues and life pressures. I take most insurances and EAP’s. Most of my referrals come from word of mouth.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
I was raised by a single mother. We were poor and even homeless at one time. I was extremely shy and afraid to talk to people. I spent a lot of time with my Great Grandmother until I was middle school then hanging out with friends was the most important thing to me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://lisarist.wixsite.com/my-site
