photo by John A. Secoges, Secoges Photographics
Since she was a young girl, Verna M. Lisa has felt compelled to help others. While pursuing a traditional counseling career, the Cumru Township resident realized her true calling is to use her natural abilities to assist people in trusting their own intuition in order to improve their lives and realize goals. Through her intuitive work with unconventional methods like hypnotherapy and mediumship, Lisa helps others break bad habits and realize their potential. When not speaking, meeting with clients or writing a book she’s co-authoring with another esoteric therapist, she relishes time with her supportive family, especially her two teenage sons.
Q | Your work is very unique and uses your own innate talents, so how did you begin working with people?
My abilities have been there my entire life, but I started consulting with people 20 years ago. I was asked by a friend who wanted me to just try doing some readings. I really enjoyed it – helping people – and what I learned about others and myself. One thing I always stress, however, is that I don’t consider myself a psychic or a fortune teller, so I don’t tell people their futures or what to do with their lives.
Q | Yes, your work is more about life coaching than predictions or instructions. How does intuition come into play?
We all have intuition. I just guide people toward what they already know. By that I mean people know the answers to what they ask and I help them to recognize that answer by reading or analyzing their own bodily reactions, their feelings. For instance, reactions like anxiety, stress, regret or guilt stem from deep understanding of what we really want or need. I assist people to be mindful, to follow their own instincts, how their bodies feel, and to use that information to make changes.
Q | You’ve honed your intuitive abilities, but how did hypnotherapy and NLP become part of your work?
I’ve always known I wanted to work in social services and counseling. My initial goal was to be a social worker, and later I wanted to be a psychologist. I went to Penn State, but traditional psychotherapy didn’t resonate with me. To me, it seemed to enhance upset and take years of sessions. It was at that time that I got into NLP, which deeply resonates with me. It’s the study of how language and thoughts influence behavior in ways we’re typically unaware of. When we become mindful of these unconscious reactions, making changes is easier. I’m certified in both NLP and hypnotherapy because they work hand-in-hand to help people relax and focus and to visit with loved ones in spirit.
Q | Do you mean contact those who’ve passed on?
Yes. Once people are in touch with their own intuition and are aware, I can use guided visualization to get in touch with spirits by helping them to interpret feelings, to turn them into thoughts that can be understood and used to communicate. We are all connected, our energies are, and my personal belief is that when we pass our physical body stays here but our spiritual component goes elsewhere. Those who we’ve been close to who have gone on don’t leave us; they become part of our circle of energy. It’s not as mystical as some think it is – everyone should have these experiences to help deepen our understanding of life.
Q | Since your methods are very unique, do you often encounter skeptics? And who is your typical client?
I often meet skeptical people who think what I do is anti-religious or who want to test me, and I have to explain that it is not wrong. In fact, I was very religious, and my belief has evolved to understand that what I do is godly work; it’s helping people. And I don’t participate in tests because, like I said, I’m not a fortune teller or a psychic. I use the intuition we all have to enhance understanding of who we are; that’s different. There is no typical client. I work with people from all walks of life, every profession you can imagine including clergy, therapists and physicians. I’ve noticed over recent years that an even greater variety of people are seeking this kind of knowledge. I think that’s happening because society’s mind is opening to such concepts and because my presentation is more like therapy, because that’s exactly what it is.
