Lisa Wolanski

What is your name/nicknames?

Thank you for taking the time to read my profile. My name is Lisa Wolanski. I am currently a practicum student with Yorkville University, and I am excited to start my journey as a ShiftGrit Intern Therapist. I am passionate about helping others and hope to empower people throughout their healing journey in an accepting and approachable manner. I am eager and motivated to provide each client with a positive experience and help them learn self-development and become more emotionally attuned.

What do you do at Shift?

As an Intern Therapist at Shift, I will provide a supportive and encouraging environment and will focus on building a strong therapeutic relationship with my clients based on trust and respect. I will collaborate with clients to improve their moods, change their perspectives, alter their thought processes, and regulate their emotions. My specialty will be to help clients discover their limiting beliefs, identify their negative patterns, and learn to break free from situations that do not serve or empower them.

My theoretical focus encompasses a variety of perspectives including cognitive behavioural therapy, psychodynamic therapy, and solution-focused therapy. My goal is to gain experience and strengthen my skills while also providing purposeful support to my clients.

What are your academic credentials?

I graduated from the University of Alberta in 2003 with a BA in Classics and a minor in Sociology. I then earned a Diploma in Public Relations from Grant MacEwan University in 2008. Currently, I am completing my Master's Degree in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University. This program has enabled me to learn about a variety of theories and techniques and has enhanced my communication skills and provided me with a strong foundation to build upon.

Why did you decide to become a therapist?

As a child I always had the desire to help others. I felt exhilarated when I was able to help people work through their problems and diffuse difficult situations. I have an extremely supportive family that has pushed me to be open and honest about my feelings and encouraged me to show gentleness, grace, and kindness. My mother taught me at an early age to the importance of helping others and showed me that listening is a powerful tool. I hope to bring forth these skills in my therapy sessions and support clients throughout their emotional journey.

What do you bring to your therapy sessions, and what are some goals?

I am a welcoming, warm, and soft-hearted person. I will bring a sense of ease and comfort to those clients who may be hesitant and unsure about their first therapy session. I will thoroughly explain the therapy process to each client and ensure they understand what the Shift protocol entails. I will be direct with my clients in a warm and caring manner and will approach them with empathy and compassion. I am non-judgmental and will be a sympathetic ear for those who want to explore their underlying issues. Some goals of therapy will include improving communication skills, enhancing mindfulness, changing harmful or unhelpful behaviours, and learning how to process overwhelming emotions.

Who do you work with?

As an Intern, I will primarily focus on working with adults and adolescents who have a variety of issues such as depression, anxiety, OCD and ADHD, among others.

Why are you passionate about what you do?

I have always had a passion for helping others and had an interest in the complexities of human behaviour. I care about people and want to see them reach their full potential and visualize the possibilities of what their life could look like. I want my clients to feel safe in the therapeutic setting while working through painful memories, difficult emotions, and intense feelings. I am excited and privileged to be part of a client’s healing journey and will feel proud of their accomplishments.

What do you do in your spare time?

I am extremely close with my family and have been fortunate to have travelled with them to places such as Disneyland, Palm Springs, Jasper, Hawaii, Seattle, and San Francisco (I love California!). I enjoy staying active by running and walking in nature. I also spend my time watching crime shows, cooking and reading a variety of books on subjects such as psychology, medicine, and history.

What is a skill that you are currently working on?

As I am new to the mental health field, I would like to further my training in a variety of techniques such as EMDR, DBT, and ACT. I am also focusing on learning the Shift protocol so I can ensure each client understands the process and feels comfortable in the therapy setting. I look forward to building a connection with each client and I hope to offer support and guidance on their journey.

What motivates or inspires you?

I am inspired by those who have come from a place of darkness and have worked hard to rise above and achieve greatness. I am motivated by those who are willing to receive help and discipline themselves to achieve growth and self-development. I have a general curiosity of others and seek to learn from their perspectives and understand their unique outlooks on life. I want to be part of their journey as they begin to face their challenges and learn to be their best selves.

Available for:

Anxiety/Panic Attacks | Trauma and PTSD | Relationship Issues | Coping Skills | Depression | Exposure Therapy | Anger Management | Codependency | Forensic Psychology | Addiction | Phobias | Eating Disorders | Obsessive-Compulsive (OCD) | Peer / Family Relationships | Sleep or Insomnia | Self Esteem | Stress | and much more...