Risa Mendelson, LPC

Risa Mendelson is a licensed professional counselor who combines clinical training with practical rehabilitation experience to support people navigating emotional and functional challenges. She holds an MA in Rehabilitation Counseling and Community Inclusion - a master's that emphasized assessing individual needs and planning interventions to promote community involvement - and a BS in psychology with a focus on Human Development. In addition, she is a licensed Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant, trained to help people build skills for everyday activities. Together these credentials inform a balanced approach that addresses both therapeutic and practical aspects of recovery.

Risa has worked with diverse populations, including clients facing physical challenges, and uses thorough evaluation to tailor interventions to each person. Her clinical work includes helping people manage anxiety, low self-esteem, relationship concerns, time management difficulties, and the effects of traumatic brain injury. She views each client holistically - attending to mental, physical, and emotional needs - and emphasizes partnership in setting goals and tracking progress.

Her approach blends cognitive therapy, cognitive-behavioral techniques, dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and mindfulness practices. Risa adapts evidence-informed strategies to fit individual strengths and life circumstances, focusing on skill-building, symptom management, and practical tools clients can use between sessions.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care with Risa Mendelson

Risa integrates client-centered therapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy to create a practical, collaborative foundation for online work. Client-centered therapy focuses on the client’s goals and lived experience, helping people feel heard and supported while they explore changes. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) teaches concrete skills to identify and shift unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, which can help with anxiety, depression, and day-to-day coping challenges.

She also uses elements of dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) to teach emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness skills when those areas are relevant. Risa approaches treatment as a collaborative process - she works with each person to determine which methods best match their needs, goals, and preferences and adjusts the plan as progress is made.

Online therapy with Risa is offered through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to provide flexibility in how and when people connect. These options make it easier to fit therapy into busy schedules, accommodate mobility or caregiving responsibilities, and maintain continuity of care when in-person meetings are difficult. Licensed professionals and therapists can use these formats to deliver structured, goal-oriented work that aligns with each client’s circumstances.