Sage Psychological Services
Sage Wisdom for Clarity and Growth
Solution-Focused Therapy
and
Psychoeducational Assessments
• Specializing in helping adolescents and adults with Anxiety, OCD, Trauma, and Depression
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• Extensively trained in CBT, ERP, and HRT therapies​
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• Using evidence-based practices with a high degree of efficacy
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•Comprehensive evaluations for clarity and educational accommodations​
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•Online & In-Person​​ appointments
About Me
​​First and foremost, I am a dedicated and experienced professional providing excellent care for adolescents and adults. I offer personalized care, including evidence-based therapy and psycho-educational assessments. When conducting initial consultations and subsequent sessions, I provide a warm and nonjudgemental environment and listen attentively. This approach goes a long way in helping clients to define and reach their goals.
For over 20 years, I have worked with a diverse array of people, from childhood through adulthood, across the US, and in Hong Kong and England. I work from an integrative perspective, tailoring the therapeutic modality to the expressed goals. My professional and personal experience has provided me with an appreciation of multiple cultures and perspectives and a broad range of treatments and interventions to draw from. My experience spans private practice, top-notch college prep day and boarding schools, and community agencies. ​
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​I am a licensed Psychologist, with a Doctorate in Psychology and a Master's degree in Educational Psychology. In addition, I have completed advanced training in Cognitive Behavior Therapy and Exposure and Response Prevention.
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On a personal note, and one I am most proud of, I am also the mother of three young adults who are freshly graduated from college and are launching their lives and careers.
Dr. Lisa Acker
Services & Expertise
1
Anxiety
It’s important to note that experiencing occasional anxiety in response to stressful situations is normal and adaptive.
However, when anxiety becomes persistent, excessive, and disrupts daily functioning, it may indicate an anxiety disorder that could benefit from professional evaluation and treatment.
My approach to anxiety treatment is tailored to address the root causes of maladaptive anxiety and equip clients with effective coping strategies to allow them to regain control and thrive.
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Psychoeducational Assessment
A psycho-eductional assessment, also known as an evaluation, is a formal assessment of an individual's cognitive and educational functioning. It can include a variety of components, such as: ​​
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• Cognitive abilities, verbal reasoning, visual reasoning, problem-solving, working memory, and processing speed.
•Academic skills: Reading, writing, spelling, math, academic fluency, and efficiency
•Social and emotional functioning
• Neuropsychological testing, speech and language processing, auditory processing, attention, and organization
• Clinical interviews and school observations
3
Adolescent Therapy
Learning through success and failure is part of the challenge of the learning process for teens. During adolescence, there is a burst of growth, and working with an in-depth understanding of adolescent development is critical. How we relate and help our teens through their adolescence will shape them into who they will be as adults.
With 20 years of experience to draw from, I offer adolescent therapy that is highly solution-focused and tailored to address the unique needs of teens to encourage building resilience, coping skills, and foster a positive sense of self.
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Depression
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is one of the most widely used therapies for depression, with a focus on identifying and changing negative thought patterns and behaviors that contribute to depression.
I work with clients to develop coping strategies and skills to challenge and reframe negative thinking and devise skills to help them navigate through the darkness, rediscover hope, and rebuild a sense of joy and purpose in their lives.
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Parent Consultations
I offer guidance and training to parents on effective parenting strategies tailored to their child's needs. This might include:
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• Consultation regarding school collaboration and interventions related to learning support and social emotional needs
• Communication skills and relationship-building techniques
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• Behavioral interventions to reinforce positive behaviors and reduce problem behaviors
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6
OCD
Exposure and Response Prevention (ERPs) is considered the gold standard treatment for OCD. ERP therapy is a type of CBT used primarily to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and intrusive thoughts. With ERP therapy, the therapist works with the client to confront fears and anxieties directly without performing rituals or avoidance behaviors. This leads to a reduction in the anxiety response and a decrease in the frequency and intensity of compulsive behaviors.
Contact Me
Appointments are available online and in-person in a West Los Angeles Location
Available for online appointments
Monday - Thursday 9 am - 11 am
Friday 9 am - 5 pm
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Available for online or in-person appointments (in West LA office)
Saturday 12 pm - 5 pm