“Technical” Biography

Lisa Smith was born and raised in Rootstown, Ohio but moved to Phoenix, Arizona in 1991 where she currently resides with two of her five children (ages 15-33). When Lisa’s son was diagnosed with autism at age three and a half, she began a passionate quest comprised of research, education and hands-on experience and created a program that ultimately led to the remediation of his autism. Now, at age 26, he is considered indistinguishable from his peers! 

Changed by this life learning, Lisa pursued a master’s degree in Child and Adolescent Developmental Psychology, both a master’s and doctorate in Metaphysics, a doctorate in Transpersonal Counseling, a certification in Family Effectiveness Training and is a neurodevelopmentalist. She works with families of all kinds to create a business model for parenting with a program known as ESP (Effective Strategies for Parenting) and teaches CPS (Conscious Parenting Strategies) for effective parenting. 

She has a background in coaching families through difficulties and in family dynamics, conflict resolution, play therapy, metaphysics, energy medicine, somatic therapy, and grief/trauma experience–and she is passionate about nourishing the potential in each child! Lisa hosts workshops around the country, has authored nine books, and is available for private consultation.

Her areas of expertise include:

• Child/Teen Challenges & Growth
• Individual Coaching/Therapy
• ADD/ADHD
• 504/IEP & Academic Referrals
• Learning Delays
• Depression/Anxiety/Anger/Stress
• Adoption & Attachment Issues
• Parenting & Co-Parenting Skills
• Relationships & Family Dynamics
• Conscious Uncoupling
• Blended Family Adjustments
• Personal Growth & Development

“Not-so-Technical” Biography

“Humor helps us to think out of the box. The average child laughs about 400 times per day, and the average adult laughs only 15 times per day. What happened to the other 385 laughs? “ ~ Anonymous

Lisa believes that the essence of each of us is found through giggling and playing in, through and with life – every day. There is very little that cannot be solved with a hearty dose of laughter!

Her philosophy is that life is way too serious to be taken seriously! Mud puddles are life’s way of reminding us to jump in and get wet. Full moons were made for mooncakes and milk parties at the park. Bubble gum was intended for making bubbles that pop on your face. Skipping is almost always the best way to walk anywhere and that magic exists everywhere, all the time. No exceptions! You just have to look for it. And no matter what they tell you, you can ALWAYS, ALWAYS color outside the lines!

PEACEFUL PARENTING PHILOSOPHY

I love the movie Parenthood with Steve Martin.  I particularly enjoy the scene with the roller coaster which is so appropriate for parenting – so many ups, downs, turned-on-your-head moments, spins, twists, and a whole lot of squeals (both with delight and exasperation)!

But maybe parenting is more like a plane ride.  You prepare as best you can (packing), you commit to the experience (buying a ticket), actually have a child (get on the plane), and then strap in and hope for the best.  But there are moments when the turbulence hits and those proverbial air bags that are supposed to drop down just don’t get down fast enough and who can breathe normally at a time like that!? 

Well, as we jump on this plane ride together, hopefully, we will laugh, cry and delight in the perils andpleasures of raising children.  I have learned so much from my five children, and I share the stories, lessons, tidbits, tips and eclectic wisdom and knowledge gathered while meandering (who am I kidding? – blindly stumbling) down the precarious path called parenthood.  

But there is a better way: a Peaceful Path (yes, you heard me – peaceful!) to parenting.  Our children are requiring that we parent consciously, or as I like to call it – Parenting on Purpose.  I believe that all behavior is a language and teach parents to interpret this language by using effective strategies to incorporate the child’s mind, body, and spirit. And I believe in the power of intention.  We must first ask ourselves: how are we intending to parent?

So, buckle up, hang on tight and enjoy the ride! Oh, and the airplane bags in the front pocket are purely optional!

Giggles,

Lisa

“If every 8-year old child were taught to meditate, we could eradicate world violence in one generation.” — Dalai Lama