Lisa Foo, PhD

LICENSED PSYCHOLOGIST

Education

I attended college at Harvard University, graduating magna cum laude in Psychology, and receiving the Radcliffe Presidential Commendation (awarded to the twelve most outstanding female Harvard graduates based on leadership, achievement, and community service). I earned a dual PhD from the departments of Child Psychology and Clinical Psychology at the University of Minnesota (consistently two of the highest ranked programs by US News & World Report). This degree entailed five years of graduate course work and examinations, teaching at the college level, extensive experience conducting psychological research, and supervised training in providing therapy, and neuropsychological/psychological evaluation services to individuals of all ages. My graduate work was supported by a prestigious fellowship from the National Science Foundation.

Experience

I have been providing mental health services for over two decades, including being a licensed psychologist since 2008 and a member of the American Psychological Association. I completed my internship (psychology residency) at Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota and an additional fellowship at Hennepin County Medical Center (HCMC), a Level 1 trauma center. I subsequently worked at HCMC as a senior psychologist and as a supervisor of pre- and post-doctoral trainees. Through my hospital-based work, I gained experience with and a passion for working with individuals facing a variety of medical conditions including cancer, stroke, diabetes, GI problems, brain injury (concussion), orthopedic/neurological/burn injuries, endocrine and neurological conditions, and other genetic/congenital/developmental disorders. I have received specialized training in motivational interviewing (supporting motivation for making life changes), hypnosis, biofeedback, bariatric (weight loss) surgery evaluations, and counseling prior to genetic testing. I continue to participate as a clinical field research evaluator for the corporations that produce widely used psychological tests, assisting in the process of updating a variety of assessment measures including mental health inventories (ex BASC) and cognitive tests (WISC and WAIS).

A variety of additional life experiences continue to add perspective to my professional work, none more significant than being the parent of three children! I lived in Thailand as a Fulbright scholar and Freeman Traveling Fellow, conducting research on resilience in youth facing significant life challenges and trauma. I was inspired by the spirit of these children and was profoundly drawn to eastern perspectives on coping that now inform my work. I spent a year employed at a social science research firm in Washington that provided support institutions including the US Department of Education. I have held a life-long commitment to giving back to my local and global communities. This has included volunteering in our local public schools and at many community events, as well as volunteering with immigrants/refugees and those experiencing homelessness and domestic violence. I have provided direct assistance to communities in Uganda, Malawi, and Nepal, including shipping book donations that have established/expanded eleven print and Braille libraries, planting fruit-bearing trees for the community, supporting educational and vocational opportunities for women and those with physical challenges, and providing free reusable feminine hygiene products and solar lights.​

"Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass. It's about learning how to

dance in the rain." - Vivian Greene