Psychologist in La Mesa, California Dr. Lisa Gunderson, Psychologist

Dr. Lisa Gunderson helps adults and seniors across California navigate identity-related stressors, life transitions, and emotional challenges through culturally affirming and trauma-informed care. At LifeStance Health, she offers individual therapy for clients ages 18 and up, with a focus on creating a supportive space that honors lived experiences, cultivates perseverance, and fosters resilience. Her work integrates psychoeducation and cognitive-behavioral therapy with a strong sociocultural lens, addressing the unique holistic needs of individuals impacted by systemic stress, discrimination, and life disruption. She focuses on strengthening your capacity to thrive, recognizing and strengthening your protective factors, and supporting positive adaptation which enables recovery and growth.

Dr. Gunderson is especially passionate about treating issues related to racialized violence, the complex impacts of discrimination and identity concerns. She works with clients who are experiencing anxiety, grief, stress and other mental wellness concerns, due to social injustice or cultural marginalization. Her experience includes supporting racialized individuals, onlys, men who have involvement with corrections, as well as individuals and families navigating transracial or transcultural adoption. Through her work, Dr. Gunderson empowers clients to process complex emotions, rebuild their sense of self, and strengthen their ability to thrive in the face of adversity.

Her practice is deeply informed by over 25 years of experience supporting ethnic communities including the training and teaching of other professionals and facilitating prevention workshops focused on underserved and underrepresented groups. As a clinical supervisor and a former tenured professor she focuses on empowerment, and brings care, advocacy, and clinical expertise to every session, using interventions such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), psychoeducation, and skills training to support sustainable mental wellness. Dr. Gunderson’s holistic approach includes honoring client’s identities and encouraging clients to bring all aspects of themselves into the therapeutic space.

Dr. Gunderson has a PhD and Masters in Clinical Psychology and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Social Sciences and Communication (emphasis in Sociology), all from the University of Southern California. Dr. Gunderson is a first generation African-American of Jamaican ancestry and broughtupsy. She speaks Patois. She speaks patois and enjoys watching movies and playing dominos.