Lisa Tejeda

Lisa Tejeda, Counseling Student Intern
Supervised by Lonelle Ordway, LCSW

I am a Clinical Mental Health Counseling intern at Capella University, working toward my master’s degree with less than a year until graduation. I have passion for helping individuals, couples, and families navigate life’s challenges and find genuine emotional balance. Originally from California’s Eastern Bay Area, I’ve also lived in Texas and Pennsylvania before settling in beautiful Florida, where my family and I enjoy being part of the local and military community. Inspired by my husband—a retired Army infantryman—I am dedicated to supporting service members, veterans, and their families through healing, resilience, and connection.

Personal Background

Family and faith are at the heart of who I am. I’m a proud wife and mother of three wonderful children, and our two American Bulldogs add even more joy to our home. Being a mother and wife has shaped my empathy, patience, and gratitude—values I bring into the counseling space. I believe in living a holistic lifestyle that nurtures mind, body, and spirit through faith, mindfulness, movement, and meaningful relationships.

My Counseling Approach

I hold a bachelor’s degree in Art and view creativity as a powerful tool for healing. Art can be therapeutic and help express thoughts that are sometimes hard to put into words. I enjoy integrating art‑based expression and elements of play therapy into my sessions. My counseling approach is integrative, drawing from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Person‑Centered, Trauma‑Informed, Narrative, Solution‑Focused, Psychodynamic, and Strengths‑Based models. 

Populations and Experience

I work with adolescents through the end‑of‑life stages and am developing my skills to confidently counsel children as I progress in my career. I have experience supporting clients facing PTSD, mood and anxiety disorders, depression, OCD, bipolar conditions, substance abuse, and crisis intervention. While my priority is individual counseling, I also welcome couples and families seeking to enhance communication, connection, and understanding. Every treatment plan is personalized to meet the client’s needs, goals, and lifestyle.

Cultural Awareness and Diversity

I come from a multicultural family—White and Latino, with extended Japanese relatives—which has given me a deep appreciation for diversity and cultural understanding. These experiences have broadened my perspective on communication styles, traditions, and family values across cultures. I strive to provide culturally responsive care so every client feels respected, understood, and valued.

Professional Strengths and Values

Before becoming a counselor, I worked in retail, sales, and interior design—experiences that helped me develop strong communication and rapport‑building skills. These roles taught me the importance of listening, empathy, and trust, which form the foundation of my counseling relationships. I am known for being structured and organized yet mellow, flexible, and approachable. I take a strengths‑based approach that helps clients recognize their resilience, build self‑esteem, and strengthen confidence.