HI THERE, I’M LISA ANDRESEN, THERAPIST / FOUNDER COACH

my mission is to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives

SUPPORTED CLIENTS FROM:

GET TO KNOW ME

Growing up in San Francisco with both parents working in tech, I was always encouraged to be my own boss. As my Russian Jewish immigrant family chased the American Dream, success and prestige were non-negotiable.

With a Stanford degree in Psychology and Science, Technology, & Society, I joined a Palo Alto mobile payments start-up. I experienced my first rush of marketing and selling a product that people didn’t understand yet would become the future.

I witnessed how pivots and lay-offs overwhelm an ambitious culture, and pursued the more stable resources tied to intrapreneurship at Microsoft.

I sponsored tech-meets up in 20 tech hub cities around the world, pitching early adopter techies to believe Microsoft could be cool again through demos highlighting my favorite apps and features.

how did I get here?

I QUICKLY REALIZED THAT —

even the strongest, smartest, and most successful people endured difficult pasts and faced inner turmoil

I left Microsoft to found Well Connected Now with the mission to rebrand mental health.

My co-workers, mentees, and friends struggled with Depression, Anxiety, ADHD, CPTSD, and Bipolar Disorder without connecting their symptoms to treatable mental health challenges.

I saw how corporate office politics triggered self-doubt, over-working, and frustrations with people in positions of power and authority. I saw how difficult personalities triggered people’s trauma.

I personally matched hundreds of high-achievers and founders with mentors, coaches, and therapists.

I spent 2.5 years of blood, sweat, and tears solving the chicken-and-the-egg problem, growing an engaged community, and attempting to fundraise and recruit.

I moderated workshops and panels for StartX, Microsoft, and Bay Area start-ups on Imposter Syndrome, Crucial Conversations, Work-Life Integration, Founders' Mental Health, Psychology of Job Searching, and Making it Work or Getting Out of There.

I coached founders at the Hack Mental Health Conference, Anxiety Tech Conference, and Seattle B2B Startup Weekend.

4,500+

COACHING & THERAPY SESSIONS PROVIDED

24+

INTERNATIONAL TECH HUBS SUPPORTED

2

SAN FRANCISCO
OFFICES

18+

PUBLICATIONS ON MENTAL HEALTH & TECH

I realized the fundamental problem needing to be solved was the clinician shortage.

Humbled by my inability to boil the ocean of our broken mental health system, I understood how tough it was to let go of my big vision and start-up founder identity.

I decided to do my part by changing careers. I didn’t want to just refer clients anymore. I wanted to be the one to help them chase their dreams.

I reclaimed my career path, became a therapist/coach, and saw our twisted healthcare system from the inside.

I completed my Masters in Clinical Social Work at Columbia. I worked with therapy clients at community mental health agencies and supported UCSF primary care patients. I studied narcissistic relationships with Dr. Ramani and working with high conflict personalities with Bill Eddy, LCSW/Esq.

I practiced teasing out diagnoses to guide treatment planning as an Intake Coordinator at a large group therapy practice.

I learned how differently and similarly health issues impact people across age groups, ethnicities, gender identities, sexual orientations, and socioeconomic backgrounds.

Then 2020 happened. I joined healthcare first-responders at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital to help COVID positive patients and their families navigate the ICU, isolation hotels, and returning home safely. That was a lot.

I became inspired by high-achievers with anxiety and depression, entrepreneurs with Bipolar Disorder and ADHD, and survivors pursuing post-traumatic growth.

I helped design an online anger management intervention with UC Berkeley, the Journal of Behavioral and Cognitive Therapy, and the Behavior Research and Therapy Journal.

I researched the prevalence of mental health challenges among entrepreneurs and their families with Dr. Michael Freeman and the Small Business Economics Journal.

We discovered 72% entrepreneurs surveyed were impacted by mental health challenges - either personally or through their immediate family. And the media spread the word.

AS SEEN ON:

Inc Magazine - How These Founders Learned to Manage Their Depression and Emerge Stronger Because of It

BY DESIGN, MY ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRIT LIVES ON

🚀 therapy and coaching

I’m always iterating, learning, and growing with my therapy and coaching practice, as I stay committed to my values for reliable, relatable, and evidence-based client empowerment.

🔑 office bookings

In the spirit of reviving my hometown, I offer hourly downtown San Francisco office bookings.

🎁 career changers scholarship

Established to help fill the clinician shortage by supporting career changers becoming therapists with the Silicon Valley Community Foundation.

Now it’s your turn to introduce yourself👋

Let’s talk about your goals and how I could help. Reach out below. You’re welcome to call, text, or email me too. Looking forward to getting to know you.