Lisa Kuzman

Lisa Kuzman is a licensed independent social worker (LISW) with 17 years of clinical experience in Iowa. She focuses on grief and loss, trauma, career transitions, and coaching for professionals. She aims to create a respectful and compassionate space where people can take the first steps toward changes they want to make.

Her approach is trauma-informed and client-centered. She listens first, then helps people set goals that fit their life. Sessions often focus on practical coping skills for anxiety, stress, and compassion fatigue. Lisa also supports people facing hospice and end-of-life concerns by addressing grief, caregiver strain, and related emotional issues.

She uses techniques drawn from mindfulness, motivational interviewing, solution-focused work, and somatic methods. That means sessions can include attention to body sensations, short-term goal setting, and conversations that build motivation for change. The work is tailored to what each person needs rather than a single prescriptive method.

People come for help with self-esteem, ADHD-related challenges, isolation, and life purpose. She also addresses aging and geriatric matters, cancer-related distress, money and career stress, and post-traumatic stress. Lisa frames therapy as collaborative problem solving grounded in respect.

Starting therapy with her involves identifying clear, manageable steps. She supports practical change alongside emotional processing. That combination is aimed at helping people move toward a more manageable and meaningful daily life.

Practical approaches for online grief and trauma work

Lisa brings client-centered and mindfulness approaches into online work to help people cope with grief, anxiety, and life transitions. Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening and building a plan that reflects the person’s goals; it helps when someone needs a supportive space to make decisions and process emotions. Mindfulness Therapy teaches simple attention practices and breathing techniques to reduce overwhelm and improve emotional regulation during stressful times.

She also uses Motivational Interviewing to clarify values and boost motivation for change; this works well for career shifts, caregiving decisions, and behavior changes connected to stress or burnout. Deciding which approach to use is part of the work together. The therapist will collaborate with each person to choose methods that match their needs, goals, and preferences rather than assuming one way fits every situation.

If you are considering online sessions, confirm the available session formats before booking so you know what to expect. Online options are often helpful for fitting therapy into busy schedules, shortening commute time, and allowing focused check-ins between work or caregiving duties. Clear communication about goals and logistical needs helps make shorter or longer sessions more useful as life changes occur.