Waterfall

 

            Create a self,  find yourself

Hi, I'm Lisa Sullivan and I am really glad you found me.    A call away:  714.875.7190

I know first hand how relationships can bring us our greatest joys and our worst nightmares!

But, if you have lost that loving feeling, you can find your way back to peace. Sometimes you just need a little help.

Even the best relationships take work, and it's worth it.

I found out early on that life can be messy.  I grew up in a "dysfunctional family," with all of its  favorite "codependent recipes.  As a result of coming out of my own  family entanglements, I struggled in my own relationships.  The good news is that as a result of my own relationship woes, I began my own personal journey that gives me the confidence now to know that it is possible to overcome what you are struggling with, and more importantly that it's highly rewarding as well.

But, I've also learned that each good relationship takes work.

I found out that even when my life was mostly even keeled, the daily grind of differences between other people still required that I become a more effective and skilled communicator,  continuously  negotiate and re-negotiate, while constantly advocate for my  own unique and special wants and needs.  And yes, above all else - remember to  maintain a sense of humor!

"Different strokes for different folks," is a cliche, but one that rings true.  The fact is we won't always see eye to eye, nor be in the same place at the same time as others.   It was when I really began defining who I was, respecting who I was, a magical thing began to happen.  Others gave me the same in kind.

We don't always need the same things, because we need things differently.

My first step in my own journey really began with my desire to become Enlightened.  I studied how to be Mindful, be Awake and  not sleep walk through life.  In order to learn how to be all these things, I meditated, did Rebirthing, wrote positive affirmations and followed teachings such as,  "thought is creative," and "we are all one. "  This path was beautiful and idealistic, and to this day is very much a part of my practice, but I also found it to be  one-sided.  I became disappointed and disillusioned  because the answers seem to pale against so much suffering and darkness.  In the middle of all the light and love, I heard the terrifying,  "yeah but."  This eventually led to my asking more questions, and as Sam Keen, a very wise psychologist says:  "maybe you just need to ask better questions."  My questions evolved to,  what caused suffering, and what was the point of it all?  Who am I?

Questions lead to Quests.

My father was a Psychiatrist, so I grew up influenced by many household discussions and arguments based upon psychological concepts.  We were called upon to go  deep within and  personally question our behavior.  I was reprimanded to not act "so neurotic."  As a result of  all of this self-examination became second nature.   Life was like a giant evolving external/internal puzzle just waiting to be solved.  Why do we do the things we do?  Why does love hurt so much?  Why do people do hateful things in the name of love?   So many questions, and I wanted answers that would fit all life situations.  

"The meeting of two personalities is like the contact of two chemical substances: if there is a reaction, both are transformed." - C.G. Jung

I became a therapist because I wanted answers to my questions.  So I did a lot of learning and searching.   I studied the great works of Dr. Carl Gustav Jung and along with my practice had lots of related experiences in my quests to know.  I still don't have all the answers to my questions.  In fact the more questions I have will lead to more answers that will lead to more questions...I think you get my point.   However, I do know that one of the best places to have that discussion, ask the questions and find our answers is in the therapeutic relationship.

Since it happened for me and it is bringing me peace, knowledge, wisdom and happiness, I believe that it can happen for you.  I would love to be with you as you ask your own questions and find your own hard won answers.  I may have some of them for you and I will also  join you and help you create what you need.

I look forward to helping you during your tough times.  You too can look  toward finding your own enlightenment.  Socrates, the ancient Greek sage offered, "The unexamined life is not worth living."  I would very much like to help you get back on track with your life, your journey and your self.

Please call me, I would love to hear your story:

714.875.7190

My Warmest and Best Regards,

Lisa