Subsequent to my academic work, I completed a one-year internship (psychology residency) at Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota and an additional one-year fellowship at Hennepin County Medical Center (HCMC), a Level 1 trauma center serving individuals throughout the Midwest region. I was invited to stay on at HCMC as a senior psychologist and as a supervisor of pre- and post-doctoral trainees. Through my hospital-based work I gained experience with and a passion for working with individuals facing a variety of medical conditions including cancer, stroke, diabetes, GI problems, brain injury (concussion), orthopedic/neurological/burn injuries, obesity, endocrine and neurological conditions, and other genetic/congenital/developmental disorders. I am currently a member of the American Psychological Association.

I received my undergraduate degree in psychology (magna cum laude) from Harvard University. While there, I was honored with the Radcliffe Presidential Commendation, which was awarded to the twelve most outstanding female Harvard graduates based on leadership, achievement, and community service. After spending a year employed at a social science research firm in Washington DC, I was humbled to serve as a representative of the United States to Thailand as a Fulbright scholar studying resilience in youth facing life challenges including poverty, ethnic discrimination, child prostitution, and HIV/AIDS. I was extremely touched by the amazing spirit of the children and adolescents I met, and profoundly drawn to eastern perspectives on coping that now inform my work.

"Leap and the net will appear." - Zen Saying

"Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass. It's about learning how to dance in the rain." ~ Vivian Greene

Upon my return to the US, I received a dual PhD from the departments of child psychology and clinical psychology at the University of Minnesota (consistently two of the highest ranked programs by US News & World Report). This degree entailed five years of graduate course work and examinations, teaching at the college level, extensive experience conducting psychological research, and supervised training in providing therapy, neuropsychological assessment, and psychological evaluation services to individuals of all ages. My graduate work was supported by a fellowship from the National Science Foundation.

Background

"What lies behind us and what lies before us are small matters compared to what lies within us." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Perhaps most importantly, I draw on my own life experiences to help me understand, motivate, and assist those who come to see me. Parenting my children (including time spent as a stay-at-home mom) has taught me about child development and the stamina required for effective parenting in a way that no training program ever could. My own experiences with the healthcare system have also helped me to understand the challenges in advocating for one's needs and in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Experiences living on the east coast, in the midwest, and in Asia have exposed me to different lifestyles and ways of looking at the world. Spending time volunteering at homeless and domestic violence shelters, as well as with those facing immigration and cross-cultural challenges, also taught me a great deal about the human capacity for resilience. 

“With everything that has happened to you, you can either feel sorry for yourself or treat what has happened as a gift. Everything is either an opportunity to grow or an obstacle to keep you from growing. You get to choose.” ~ Dr. Wayne Dyer

Dr. Lisa Foo

LICENSED PSYCHOLOGIST