About

With an inspiring passion for personal mental health and physical wellness, Lisa Schmidt is the mind behind Lisa Schmidt Counseling.

Lisa Schmidt: working at the intersection of food and mood – mindful eating, yoga therapy, nutrition support, motivational interviewing

A Masters’ candidate (June 2013) in an integrative whole foods nutrition/clinical health psychology program from the internationally known Bastyr University in Seattle, WA, Lisa has more than twenty five years experience working in health care, employee wellness and health promotion.  A passionate advocate for access to mental health services, she has witnessed first hand the toll that untreated mental health conditions can have on quality of life for patients and their families.  As the Director of Employee Benefits for a large hospital system, Lisa redesigned employee benefit programs to provide direct access to mental health services long before the Affordable Care Act of 2011 made mental health parity the law.  Lisa is passionate about individual physical health as well, which is why her whole foods, mostly plant based approach to nutrition resonates with her clients who enjoy effortless weight loss and improvement in health conditions like obesity, diabetes, osteoporosis, and Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

Lisa’s psychological orientation is Mindfulness based.  An experienced meditator and Certified Yoga Instructor, Lisa uses present moment awareness as a tool for psychological symptom management and improved affect.  With advanced training in Motivational Interviewing from the Mid-Atlantic Addiction Technology Transfer Center and the Veterans Administration, Lisa uses a collaborative, coaching approach with her clients.  Lisa is a skilled listener, asks thoughtful questions, and supports clients as they find their own answers while moving through the Stages of Change.  She has volunteered hundreds of hours counseling Veterans through the Seattle VA Medical Center, which has augmented her clinical training at the Bastyr Center for Natural Health.  Formerly a career Human Resources professional, Lisa spent much of her time in collaboration with clients, employees, and executives and was known as a facilitator of change and promoter of personal growth.

Currently employed as an Mental Health counseling intern with Sound Mental Health in Seattle, WA, Lisa works with clients privately.  Her services include Mindful Eating individual and group sessions, nutrition coaching, diet analysis, assistance with supporting dietary changes such as plant based vegan diets, gluten and wheat free eating, and weight loss support.  Lisa is an expert in Irritable Bowel Syndrome and has designed a dietary and mindfulness based approach to symptom management.  Contact Lisa today for a personalized consultation.