Lisa Encinas

Lisa Encinas is a California licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) with seven years of clinical experience. She helps people who are feeling stuck by addressing stress, anxiety, relationship strain, low self-esteem, depression, and the challenge of major life changes. Lisa works in both English and Spanish, and also uses American Sign Language for clients who prefer it.

Her work focuses on straightforward conversations about what is happening now. She listens for patterns in thinking and behavior that make daily life harder. Lisa helps people notice what they do when they feel overwhelmed and tries small, practical adjustments that can reduce stress and improve communication.

She also supports people coping with specific pressures such as caregiving strain, chronic illness or pain, cancer, and the emotional fallout of separation or divorce. Issues like abandonment, body image concerns, codependency, and family of origin problems are part of her caseload.

Sessions are conversation-based and goal-oriented. Lisa aims to help clients clarify priorities, set manageable steps, and practice different ways of responding to difficult moments. She invites clients to try ideas in everyday life and then review what changed.

For people unsure what comes next, Lisa offers practical guidance rather than promises. Her approach centers on figuring out small next steps, improving communication, and building manageable coping skills to handle life’s pressures.

How evidence-based techniques work in online sessions

Many therapists use evidence-based techniques that focus on present-day thoughts and actions to reduce stress and improve mood. One common approach helps people notice unhelpful thinking patterns, test those thoughts, and try alternative responses. This can be useful for anxiety, low mood, and self-doubt. Another approach centers on communication skills and behavioral experiments to change relationship patterns and test new ways of interacting, which can help with conflict and closeness.

Finding the right mix of techniques is part of the work. The therapist will collaborate with the client to decide what to try based on current needs, goals, and what feels realistic. This means checking in regularly and adjusting methods if something is not helping.

If you plan to use online therapy, confirm the session formats available before booking. The practical upside is that virtual sessions can fit into busy schedules, make it easier to attend from different places, and reduce travel time. Phone sessions can be shorter check-ins when needed, and video sessions allow face-to-face conversation and visual cues. Ask about formats when you sign up so you know what to expect and can pick what fits your daily life.