Risa Mendelson

Practical strategies with compassionate collaboration

LPC Michigan

Experience: 6 years in practice
Focus areas: Stress, Anxiety, Self esteem, Career
Approaches: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Client-Centered Therapy
Languages: English

About Risa

Risa Mendelson brings a cognitive-behavioral orientation to her therapeutic work, blending practical skills with empathetic support to help clients navigate stress, anxiety, low self-esteem, mood concerns, and life transitions. She integrates CBT with client-centered and mindfulness techniques to address thought patterns, emotional regulation, and present-moment awareness.

Background and approach

Risa highlights skill-building alongside collaborative planning to help people cope with addictions, grief, anger, bipolar symptoms, and relationship or family challenges. With a background that combines an MA in Rehabilitation Counseling and Community Inclusion and a BS in Psychology (Human Development), she draws on experience working with people who have physical health challenges and traumatic brain injury.

Risa is also a licensed Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant and holds an LPC credential, which informs her holistic approach that considers mental, physical, and emotional needs. She practices in Michigan and offers care in English, focusing on individualized interventions informed by six years of clinical experience.

Her practice also addresses caregiver stress, chronic pain and illness, isolation and loneliness, panic and social anxiety, ADHD, and career-related concerns. Risa works collaboratively to identify goals and tailor strategies that fit each client’s situation and preferences.

Evidence-Informed Approaches for Online Care

Risa often uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy in online sessions. CBT focuses on identifying and shifting unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, using practical exercises and skill practice to reduce anxiety, depression, and stress. DBT emphasizes emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness skills, which can be especially helpful for managing intense emotions and improving relationships.

Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will explore a client’s goals, preferences, and challenges to determine which combination of methods fits best, and adjustments are made over time as needs evolve to keep care responsive and goal-oriented.

Online sessions are offered via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to provide flexibility for different schedules and communication styles. These formats make it easier to attend regularly, practice skills between meetings, and maintain continuity of care when in-person options are limited. Licensed professionals can tailor exercises and check-ins to each medium so clients can work toward meaningful change from wherever they are.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of concerns does Risa commonly address?

She works with stress, anxiety, self-esteem difficulties, depression, addictions, relationship and family issues, trauma and abuse, grief, anger, bipolar concerns, coping with life changes, and ADHD, along with caregiver stress, chronic pain and illness, isolation, panic and social anxiety, and traumatic brain injury.

How would you describe her therapeutic style?

Risa combines client-centered listening with practical techniques from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and mindfulness to help clients build skills and explore perspectives in a collaborative way.

What is her professional background and experience?

She has six years of experience, an MA in Rehabilitation Counseling and Community Inclusion, a BS in Psychology (Human Development), and a background working with people who have physical challenges and traumatic brain injury.

What credentials and location are on record for this clinician?

Risa is an LPC and practices in Michigan. Her license detail is MI LPC 6401019170 and she is a licensed Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant.

Which languages are available for sessions with her?

Sessions are conducted in English and she is not accepting international clients at this time.

What session formats does she offer?

She provides video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to accommodate different communication preferences.

How is payment and cost handled for sessions?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions are delivered through a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.

What are the first steps to begin working with her?

Begin by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule a session based on the therapist's availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, Anxiety Self esteemCareer difficultiesDepression

Also works with

AddictionsRelationship issuesFamily conflictsTrauma and abuse GriefAnger managementBipolar disorderCoping with life changes ADHD

Additional focus areas

Caregiver issues and stressChronic pain, illness, and disabilityIsolation / loneliness Panic disorder and panic attacks Social anxiety and phobiaTraumatic brain injury

Therapeutic approaches

Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Mindfulness Therapy

Experience

6+ years

Licensed

Michigan

Languages

English