Lisa M. Schab Books helping our children
helping ourselves

About

The Professional Data…

Lisa received a Bachelor of Science degree in interpersonal communications from Northwestern University and a master’s degree in clinical social work from Loyola University of Chicago.  She has 30 years experience as a practicing psychotherapist and 40 years as a freelance writer. Lisa has authored 20 self-help books for children, teens, and adults, including the international best-sellers, The Anxiety Workbook for Teens and The Self-Esteem Workbook for Teens.  She has been interviewed as an expert for WTMJ4-TV, The New York Times, Scholastic Choices Magazine, Teen Vogue, Psych Central, and Today’s Parent among others.  Lisa has written professional training courses available for continuing education credit through Professional Development Resources (www.pdresources.com,) and authored regular columns on Tweens & Teens for Chicago Parent Magazine and Healthy Families for Sun Newspapers. She is a member of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) and the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI.)

The Personal Story…

My parents’ meeting was so drenched in synchronicity I can only believe that everything that came to follow was meant to be – both the gifts that felt like gifts and the gifts that felt like pain.

My wonderful dad:  an honest, hard-working, smart & successful provider, with a great sense of humor and a penchant for storytelling, planting trees, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and all things detailed.  In later years he said he realized he’d been angry his whole life.  (We knew that, as we were the recipients.)

My dear mom:  the quintessential 60’s homemaker – orchestrating meals, baths, laundry, housecleaning, bridge clubs, mother-daughter teas, and getting me to the library, Girl Scouts and piano lessons. Also a great sense of humor. She battled clinical anxiety, depression and addiction.

I grew up well-dressed, well-fed, well-educated and scared.

My pervasive, intense, and unconscious coping skill became food, in an era when eating disorders weren’t yet mentioned in every health class.  This was the issue that finally sent me to therapy, and so began my journey out of the deep hole I hadn’t even realized I was in.  (Too busy eating to notice!)

Some great thinker once suggested that we collect our wounds in childhood and then spend the rest of our lives healing out of them.  Maybe this is true.  I am ever thankful for all the good in my parents and for their love.  And, I am thankful for the gifts that came from the places where they weren’t healed, because my wounds led me to seek, and finally land, in such an infinitely healthier place of peace.

“If you have a deep scar, that is a door, if you have an old, old story, that is a door. . . If you yearn for a deeper life, a full life, a sane life, that is a door.”

Clarissa Pinkola Estes

Lisa’s innate gifts, educational training, and both personal and professional experience have combined to land her comfortably in the lifework of therapist, writer, and teacher.

She holds space for a limited number of counseling clients, assisting in creating healthy inner anchors that steady and guide them on their personal journeys. Specializations include anxiety, self-esteem, and eating issues and disorders.

She also writes regularly in the self-help field and additional venues that promote inspiration, growth, and healing. She accepts proposals from publishers and agents.

Lisa enjoys speaking for both small groups and large audiences. Her expertise and approachable manner create effective and enjoyable workshops and trainings on a variety of topics. She is happy to work with you to create a program that best fits the needs of your audience.

Lisa is available for counseling, writing, and speaking engagements. Please contact her to discuss how she can best fit your needs.

Praise . . . 

“I hold you up as the ‘gold standard’ of therapist/writers.  When we say a writer is ‘almost as good as Lisa Schab,’ that is the highest compliment we can give.”

–Lawrence Shapiro PhD, Publisher

Lisa Schab combines humor, genuineness and gentleness in her trainings that are always smooth-flowing and content-rich.

–Janis J. Gomien, president & founder, Academy of Addictions Treatment Professionals

“I have never had two hours go by so quickly . . . The audience and I thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.”

–Jane Connors-Geddes, adult program coordinator, Antioch Public Library District

Working with (Lisa) far exceeded our expectations . . . “

–Arielle Cohen, MSW, programs manager, Families for Depression Awareness

“Ms. Schab . . . has an uncanny ability to obtain complete class attention and participation.  She is refreshing.”

–Workshop participant

“Thanks to Lisa, my life was forever changed. She helped me through one of the darkest moments in my life and helped me come out on the other end, not only stronger but confident.”

–B.J.

“Breathe and Smile”

Sign up for my newsletter and your name will be entered in a yearly drawing to receive a free book!

Menu