LICSW, OSW-C Social Worker
About Alisa
Alisa is a licensed mental health therapist and the founder of Centering Therapy MN, providing cancer-focused mental health support exclusively for individuals, caregivers, and family members impacted by cancer. Her work is dedicated to supporting people navigating a cancer diagnosis, treatment, survivorship, recurrence, end-of-life, and grief.
With over 15 years of clinical experience, Alisa brings deep understanding and compassion to the emotional, relational, and life changes that often accompany a cancer journey.
In Alisa’s spare time, she loves helping out in schools, running outdoors, and being as playful as possible.
A Career Dedicated to Cancer Care
Prior to opening Centering Therapy MN, Alisa worked as a clinical social worker within a pediatric hematology and oncology program.
For more than 15 years, her clinical focus has centered on supporting individuals and families impacted by cancer and blood disorders.
She has supported hundreds of individuals and families as they navigated unexpected, complex healthcare journeys—offering counseling that helps people process fear, uncertainty, grief, and the many life adjustments that arise with cancer.
Supporting Individuals, Families, and Communities
Alisa’s counseling work offers space to reflect on how to live each day as fully as possible in the face of cancer. She has presented at Gilda’s Club on How to Talk to Your Friends About Cancer and facilitated Back to School presentations to support children with cancer as they return to school.
As part of her advocacy, Alisa has advised schools on accommodations for students living with cancer, sickle cell disease, and other serious health conditions, helping students maintain academic connection and social-emotional well-being.
Care for Caregivers and Healthcare Professionals
Alisa also brings experience supporting caregivers and healthcare professionals who carry the emotional weight of cancer care. She has served as a peer-to-peer supporter for healthcare professionals and has training in second victimhood, moral distress, and stress response identification.
Her work recognizes that those who care for others also need space for support, reflection, and restoration.
Grief, End-of-Life, and Legacy
Alisa has been with individuals and families during end-of-life care, helping people focus on living meaningfully while also creating legacy. After the death of a loved one, she provides bereavement counseling, honoring grief as an expression of love and allowing space for loss without pressure to move on.
Therapeutic Approach
Alisa’s clinical work is rooted in Narrative Therapy, which honors each individual as the expert in their own life and separates people from the problems they are facing. Her approach is also grounded in equity, trauma-informed, and grief-informed care.
She practices from a strengths-based, culturally sensitive framework and brings specialized experience in supporting cancer-related grief, caregiving, and life transitions.
Centering Therapy MN is dedicated exclusively to supporting individuals, caregivers, and families impacted by cancer.
Education & Professional Credentials
Alisa holds a Master of Social Work degree from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and a Bachelor of Social Work degree from St. Olaf College. She is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) in Minnesota.
Her professional training includes advanced and specialized education in cancer care, grief, and narrative approaches, including:
Advanced Certification in Narrative Therapy
Certification in Narrative Therapy
Certified Grief Educator, trained under David Kessler
Certified Grief-Informed Professional
Certified Oncology Social Worker (OSW-C)
Licensed Minnesota School Social Worker
In addition to her clinical work, Alisa has supervised mental health professionals and interns, reflecting her commitment to expanding access to thoughtful, compassionate mental health care within our communities.
Click below to view Alisa’s Psychology Today profile.
Reach out when you are ready.
