This week on The Mental Matchup, Kat sits down with Lisa Isenman, a psychotherapist with the Wake Kendall Group in Washington, DC. Lisa’s career journey is anything but traditional—after decades in communications and education, she returned to school to become a psychotherapist, guided by her belief that “mental health care isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity.”

In this episode, Lisa shares how curiosity and empathy shape her work with adolescents, adults, couples, and families as they navigate trauma, identity, and life’s toughest transitions. She also dives into her passion for collective action through serving on the board of Champions for Children, where she helps address the children’s mental health crisis in the DMV area, and her role as an executive officer with the International Association for Counselling, working toward global mental health equity.

Together, we explore:

Lisa’s personal journey into mental health and why she chose to change careers

The role of curiosity and empathy in guiding young athletes, students, and families through adversity

How Champions for Children and international collaboration are expanding access to care and breaking stigma

Lisa’s story is a reminder that one person’s decision to lean into passion and purpose can ripple outward to change lives and communities.

Learn more about Champions for Children here
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