Lisa Studebaker

Grief is not something to “get over”—it’s something to move through, honoring what was, making sense of what is, and gently nurturing what’s next. I’m Lisa, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 18 years of experience walking alongside individuals and families through some of life’s most tender and transformative chapters. My work centers on grief counseling, helping people navigate loss with clarity, empathy, and deep compassion.

Throughout my career, I’ve developed programs in bereavement care, hospice social work, mental health, and volunteer coordination, including more than 14 years in leadership roles. I’ve learned that meaningful care isn’t just clinical—it begins in quiet, intentional spaces where people feel seen, heard, and supported. That philosophy is the heart of Golden Aspen Counseling.

I hold a Master of Social Work from Colorado State University and a Bachelor of Social Work from Metropolitan State University.

My counseling approach is rooted in compassion-focused care, existential inquiry, strength-based support, and cultural sensitivity. I understand that grief is not linear, and that each person’s experience is shaped by their relationship to the loss, their cultural background, and their inner resilience. My practice draws on evidence-based frameworks such as the Dual Process Model, which honors the oscillation between mourning and restoration, and Meaning Reconstruction Theory, which helps individuals rebuild a sense of identity and purpose after loss.

Through Golden Aspen Counseling, I offer a safe, non-judgmental space where clients can express their emotions, explore the meaning of their loss, and begin to reshape their lives. My work is guided by the belief that healing is possible, not by forgetting, but by honoring what remains and growing through what’s changed.

What Grief Counseling can offer

• A space to speak freely and be met with empathy
• Validation of each person’s unique grief experience
• Support for emotional expression through conversation, journaling, or creative reflection
• Coping strategies to manage overwhelming emotions and adjust to new life circumstances
• Encouragement to foster connection and reduce isolation
• Opportunities to revisit memories and honor relationships