Lisa Marston

As a military kid who grew up navigating different cultures (Japanese mother, American father, constant moves), I understand what it means to adapt, serve others, and carry invisible burdens. Now married to a veteran, I'm deeply connected to the military community and the unique challenges military families face.

I specialize in working with women who've spent their lives taking care of everyone else—especially military spouses, veterans, and adult children of military families. If you're exhausted from being the strong one, struggle with saying no, or have lost yourself in service to others, I see you and I can help.

Education & Training:

• Master of Social Work (MSW), University of Maryland, Baltimore
• Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW-C (MD) & LICSW (DC)
• IFS Level 3 Trained (completing certification)
• Imago Relationship Therapy Level 1 Clinical Training

I work with:

• Veterans navigating civilian life, relationship challenges, and identity transitions
• Adult children of military families processing their upbringing
• Military spouses dealing with deployment stress, frequent moves, and solo parenting
• Women experiencing caretaker burnout and people-pleasing patterns
• Anxiety, depression, stress, and overwhelm in high-functioning adults
• Relationship challenges and communication difficulties
• Life transitions, parenting stress, and family dynamics
• Perfectionism, shame, and burnout

I'm trained in Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy at Level 3, which helps us understand why different parts of you respond the way they do—the perfectionist, the people-pleaser, the critic. We'll work together to help these parts relax so you can show up as your true Self.

For couples, I use Imago Relationship Therapy, which focuses on understanding how your childhood experiences shape your relationship patterns. We'll work on improving communication, healing old wounds, and creating deeper connection.

My approach is collaborative and client-centered—you're the expert on your own life. Whether working individually or with your partner, we'll help you find balance between caring for others and honoring your own needs, so you can reclaim the wholeness and connection you deserve.

The first session is really about us getting to know each other and making sure we're a good fit. Think of it as a conversation, not an interview. We'll talk about what's bringing you in, what you've been struggling with, and what you're hoping therapy can help with. I'll share a bit about how I work with IFS and answer any questions you have. We'll start getting curious together about the patterns you're noticing - like why it's so hard to say no, or why you feel guilty when you prioritize yourself. You'll leave with a sense of whether we're a good fit and some initial insights about what's happening for you.