When a new therapist joins our team at Mathews Counseling, we ask them to tell us why they choose therapy as a career. Below one of our therapists, Lisa Garland answers the question, “Why Therapy?” You can read more about Lisa here.
My journey into therapy began in the community. For over a decade, I worked in public health, leading workshops and creating sex education content designed to meet people exactly where they were. In those community spaces, I noticed a recurring theme: people weren’t just looking for information—they were looking for permission. I witnessed firsthand how shame, systemic silence, and a lack of access shaped the way people viewed their bodies, their pleasure, and their right to exist authentically.
I entered therapy because I realized that while public health can change systems, clinical therapy changes lives. I wanted to move from talking to many to sitting with one (or the two). I believe that deep, sustainable healing happens in the safety of a judgment-free conversation, where the stories we carry can finally be told without fear.
Today, my practice is a space for that unfolding. I work with individuals and couples navigating the complex intersections of sex, identity, grief, and more. We work together to untangle the inherited narratives—the “shoulds” and “musts” we’ve been told about who we are —and replace them with a relationship to self that is informed, authentic, and whole.
I also recognize that life isn’t only about self-discovery; it is also about navigating the heavy seasons of loss. Grief is often the most isolated experience we have, yet it touches every part of our relationships and our sense of self. Whether you are mourning a person, a version of yourself, or a future you planned for, I provide a space to sit with that weight.
I utilize an integrative approach rooted in Person-Centered and Trauma-Informed Therapy. This means that you are the expert on your own life; I am here to provide the empathy and unconditional support you need to find your way forward. I also incorporate Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and weave in Mindfulness practices, allowing you to observe your experiences—whether they involve sexual anxiety, intrusive thoughts, or deep grief—with curiosity instead of judgment.
Language should never be a barrier to healing. I am proud to offer my services in English, Spanish, or a bilingual space that honors both.
Whether you are seeking couples counseling to reconnect with a partner, navigating your own sexual identity, or moving through the layers of grief, my door is open. Together, we will build a life that feels truly yours.
By: Lisa Garland
Lisa is a therapist and is currently scheduling new clients. She has both in-person and telehealth appointments available. Learn more her here.
Please call 919-587-8018 for their latest availability, as appointment times fill up quickly. You can also request an appointment with Lisa online.
