About the Founder

Lisa Frances Raia is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 26 years of experience working in the mental health field. She began working as a mental health counselor in 1986 before she received her Master’s degree in Social Work from Adelphi University in 1992. She completed her internship experience and clinical training at Sagamore Children’s Psychiatric Center and Southeast Nassau Guidance Center, and received additional clinical training and experience in psychiatric diagnosis, assessment and psychotherapy for individuals and families in crisis at Catholic Charities Mental Health Clinic.

As a Clinical Social Work Psychotherapist, Ms. Raia provided assessments for traumatized children and their families in the Sappo private school setting and worked for Sunrise Psychiatric residential setting, where she was the Residential Director and provided group therapy for adolescents separated from abusive families. In addition, Ms. Raia voluntarily provided educational classes for new mothers in the area of child & family development at the Mother’s Center of Suffolk County. She also served for many years as a volunteer counselor for a local community suicide & crisis hotline. She has been a member of ISSD (the International Society for the Study of Dissociation and Trauma) since 1996 and in 2005 completed educational training through ISSD, in providing, diagnosis, assessment and psychotherapy for individuals recovering from trauma and dissociation. In 2011, Ms. Raia served on the Mental Health Panel for NYS Appellate Division, Supreme Court, 2nd Judicial Department, to provide to the court, clinical assessments for children and families.

Ms. Raia has provided knowledgeable, effective, & compassionate psychotherapy in her own private practice since 1996 for individuals and families healing from family loss and trauma. Ms. Raia began Bridge Counseling and Bereavement Center in the Autumn of 2006.