Spring is here, and Allium Counseling continues to support teens and adults facing eating disorders, anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges throughout Illinois.*
Clinician Spotlight
Our talented and compassionate therapist, Lisa Cody, LCSW, continues to expand her schedule with group and individual therapy offerings. Read below to learn out about her clinical style and personal passions that make her a fantastic clinician!
1. What drew you to specialize in treating anxiety and eating disorders?
I have witnessed firsthand the profound impact eating disorders can have on individuals and their loved ones, and I’ve long felt called to be a supportive resource for this population. Eating disorders remain a misunderstood and underserved area within the mental health field, and I am eager to put both my passion and clinical knowledge to meaningful use by helping those in need. Additionally, anxiety has been a focus of mine since entering the field, as I’ve worked to better understand my own personal experiences with it. I recognize how anxiety can present in diverse, often overlooked or misdiagnosed ways, and I’m committed to using my skills to provide thoughtful, effective care in this important area of mental health.
2. How do you integrate mindfulness practices into your therapy sessions?
I take a personalized approach by exploring what type of mindfulness resonates with each client – whether that’s active practices like mindful walking or stretching, guided meditation, or simple present-moment awareness exercises. I meet clients where they are in their comfort and readiness with mindfulness. Additionally, I integrate distress tolerance skills such as breathing exercises, grounding techniques, and sensory-based strategies to help clients manage anxiety in the moment and build coping tools for the long term.
3. Can you explain how Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) complement each other in your practice?
I integrate CBT and ACT by helping clients explore their core values and assess whether their current beliefs and behaviors align with those values. ACT allows clients to reconnect with what truly matters to them, while CBT helps identify and challenge unhelpful thought patterns that may be keeping them stuck. By combining these approaches, I support clients in making meaningful, lasting changes that are grounded in their personal values and in healthier, more flexible ways of thinking.
4. How do you support adolescents dealing with anxiety or eating disorders, and what role do families play in the therapeutic process?
When I work with teens dealing with anxiety or eating disorders, my first priority is building a strong, trusting relationship where they feel safe to open up. I try to meet them where they’re at, using creative, relatable approaches to keep them engaged. I also believe families play a huge role in the healing process. I involve them by offering education, support, and tools so they can better understand what their teen is going through and learn how to be a positive support system at home. It’s all about creating a team approach to help the teen feel supported both in and outside of sessions.
5. What advice do you have for someone experiencing their first panic attack?
Panic attacks can be overwhelming and scary, especially if it’s something you have never experienced. If someone is experiencing their first panic attack, the most important thing is to remind them that while it feels really scary, it’s not dangerous and it will pass. I’d encourage them to focus on slow, deep breathing, and to ground themselves by noticing their surroundings, like naming five things they can see or feel. It can also help to remind themselves, “This is anxiety. It’s uncomfortable, but I’m safe.” Afterward, I’d suggest checking in with a trusted person and reaching out for support if they need it.
6. If you could recommend one book that has profoundly influenced your therapeutic approach, what would it be?
One book that has profoundly influenced my therapeutic approach is ‘8 Keys to Recovery from an Eating Disorder’ by Carolyn Costin and Gwen Schubert Grabb. I appreciate how it’s both educational and accessible, offering practical tools while encouraging self-reflection and personal growth. It’s a book that not only informs but also inspires meaningful change, and I’ve found it valuable both for my own clinical perspective and to recommend to clients. I am currently reading ‘Rewire Your Anxious Brain’ by Catherine Pittman and Elizabeth Karle – review to come! 🙂
7. Outside of your counseling work, what activities help you unwind and recharge?
I love this question! Self-care and maintaining a healthy work-life balance are really important to me. I start my mornings with some form of movement to help me feel grounded and energized for the day ahead. In the evenings, I unwind by walking my dog, Salem, which is one of my favorite ways to reset. I also enjoy spending time outside or in nature, listening to podcasts, diving into true crime and horror stories, and spending time with my husband, family, friends, and my pets – Salem and my two cats, Atticus and Boo. When I really want to relax, you’ll probably find me playing my Nintendo Switch or watching The Office.
8. If you could have dinner with any figure in psychology or mental health history, who would it be and why?
If I could have dinner with any figure in psychology or mental health history, it would definitely be Marsha Linehan. I’m a huge fan of DBT and the way it has shaped how we understand and treat emotional dysregulation and self-destructive behaviors. I think her approach of balancing acceptance and change is so powerful. I’d love to hear more about how she came up with DBT, and maybe get some insight into her personal experiences that shaped her work. It would be amazing to learn from her directly!
9. What’s a fun fact about you that your clients might be surprised to learn?
I absolutely love getting lost in 90’s and 2000’s teen dramas! I’ve watched ‘Boy Meets World’ and ‘One Tree Hill’ more times than I can count, and I just finished watching ‘Gossip Girl’ recently. Cheesy dramas and reality TV (shout out to all the ‘Love is Blind’ fans out there!) are my guilty pleasure – they offer the perfect escape from life’s stressors sometimes! You might say they’re an integral part of my self-care!
10. If you weren’t a therapist, what alternative career path might you have pursued?
This is a tough one for me! I have so many hobbies I’d love to turn into a career in another life. The top ones that come to mind are photographer, baker, or even a personal trainer. Each of those paths feels like they would tap into my creativity, passion, and desire to help others in different ways.
