07/09/2026
I was recently interviewed by a graduate student for a class assignment where she was asked to talk with a Private Practice owner about their professional identity as well as the most rewarding and difficult things about being a counselor.
I don't get asked about my professional identify often, so when I do I see this as an opportunity to share why this work REALLY matters to me. Here is my response:
"Hi! I'm Elizabeth Korchari. I'm a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in Massachusetts with a Master's degree in Clinical Psychology and the founder and owner of Lotus & Lion: Counseling and Wellness. My offerings include individual counseling, clinical consultation, and continuing education for behavioral health professionals. My practice is grounded in a trauma-informed, evidence-based approach that emphasizes compassion, curiosity, and respect for each person's unique story.
I completed my graduate training in Cognitive Therapy through Assumption University and the Beck Institute for Cognitive Therapy. I am Board Certified in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), having completed intensive training with Dr. Marsha Linehan, the creator of DBT. I have extensive additional training in mindfulness through The Mindfulness Center at Brown University and am a Qualified Level One Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Teacher. In addition to my other services, I offer structured one-on-one DBT skills training for individuals who want to build practical skills in mindfulness, emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness.
My interest in this field began at a young age as I watched someone very important to me struggle with severe depression. Seeing how difficult it was for her to find compassionate, effective treatment and hope left a lasting impression on me. I remember feeling angry that a person who was suffering so deeply could be so misunderstood, judged, and struggle to find the care she deserved. That experience sparked a passion in me to do better—to become the kind of therapist who provides compassionate, evidence-based care to the people who need it the most. It also inspired a lifelong desire to understand the human experience and help people not only survive some of life's greatest challenges, but ultimately build lives that feel meaningful and fulfilling.
Before opening my private practice two years ago, I spent over 20 years working in the nonprofit mental health system, most recently serving as the Director of DBT and Trauma Services for a large Central Massachusetts nonprofit organization that supports individuals facing mental health challenges, autism, intellectual disabilities, brain injuries, substance use disorders, and homelessness. During those twenty years, I specialized in working with individuals struggling with suicidal thinking, self-injury, severe emotion dysregulation, and complex trauma. This is how I developed my specialty in DBT.
During this time, my work spanned outpatient, community, and residential settings, giving me the opportunity to support people across the continuum of care. In addition to direct clinical work, I provided consultation and training to public schools, state agencies such as the Department of Mental Health (DMH) and the Department of Children and Families (DCF), as well as other nonprofit and private human service organizations. I also provided clinical supervision, consultation, and training to fellow clinicians and multidisciplinary staff teams.
Those two decades gave me an incredible education in the human experience. I had the privilege of working with people from all walks of life, each carrying unique stories, strengths, and challenges. It taught me that while everyone's circumstances are different, we all share a fundamental need to feel understood, connected, and hopeful that change is possible. One of the most important things I've learned is that people make sense when you understand their story. What may look like a symptom or maladaptive behavior is often an adaptation to life's experiences, and I believe it's our job as therapists to approach those experiences with curiosity, compassion, and respect rather than judgment. That perspective continues to shape who I am as both a therapist and a person.
Since opening my private practice, I've become increasingly interested in an integrative approach to mental health care. My foundation will always be evidence-based psychotherapy, particularly DBT and CBT, but I've also become fascinated by the connection between the mind, body, and nervous system. Over the years, I've come to appreciate just how profoundly nervous system regulation, mindfulness, sleep, movement, nutrition, lifestyle, and overall wellness influence emotional health and our capacity for lasting change.
After spending so many years helping people through some of the most acute mental health crises, I found myself asking a different question: not just, "How do we help people recover?" but, "How do we help people stay well?" That question has led me to explore how traditional psychotherapy can be thoughtfully integrated with complementary approaches that support long-term well-being. I love helping clients develop practical skills while also cultivating greater self-awareness, regulating their nervous systems, and creating lives that feel balanced, intentional, and sustainable. I don't see evidence-based psychotherapy and integrative care as separate approaches. I believe they complement one another, allowing us to treat not only symptoms, but the whole person.
The most rewarding part of being a counselor is having the privilege of hearing people's stories. I love understanding what makes people who they are and helping them make sense of their experiences. Watching someone begin to see themselves with more compassion, discover strengths they didn't realize they had, and create meaningful change in their lives is incredibly rewarding. It's a privilege that I never take for granted.
The most difficult part is recognizing that I can't do the work for my clients. I can provide guidance, education, support, and encouragement, but the real work happens between sessions. Learning to trust each person's process while respecting their autonomy is one of the most important lessons I've learned. Running a private practice also means balancing the clinical work with the responsibilities of owning a business, but having the freedom to build a practice that truly reflects my values has made those challenges worthwhile."
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If you or someone you know is looking for support in taking the next step toward an important goal, help in overcoming a challenge, or moving through a big life transition, I invite you to reach out to book a free consultation call to see if we'd be a good fit.
Photo Credit: NM Exposure
