Lisa Kestler, PhD

I provide compassionate and inclusive care for kids, adults and families who may be struggling with mood or anxiety, social difficulties, or problems at home or school. I specialize in ADHD, Autism, PDA, and Neurodiversity. I offer comprehensive care across the lifespan for a wide range of psychological, social, emotional, and behavioral concerns. I am warm, direct, authentic, and passionate about my work. I am constantly inspired by my clients, young and old. I am deeply committed to recognizing and uplifting the unique strengths and diverse perspectives of each client I work with. Treatment is tailored to best meet your needs and goals. I incorporate elements of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and family systems. Therapy is "client-centered" meaning I follow your lead and not a prescribed agenda. Play can also be powerful (at any age) especially when it incorporates a clients interests. I offer specialized assessments to help clarify diagnosis, identify strengths and challenges, and develop tailored treatment plans. A psychological evaluation can be helpful in identifying ADHD, learning differences, Dyslexia, Giftedness, Autism, PDA, and more. Results can guide recommendations for treatment, school, and personal development. Depending on the complexity and purpose of an evaluation, fees range from $2,500 to $5,500. If you are interested in services, please select an available time to schedule an appointment. For new clients, I offer a 20-minute initial consultation for a fee of $50. We will discuss your needs and what I can offer. Weekly therapy is $285 for each 50-minute session. During an initial intake appointment (60-90 minutes), we will get to know each other and see if it might be a good "fit". After a second appointment, we will discuss what makes sense going forward and recommendations. Privacy and confidentiality will be discussed at the first session. In order for therapy to work, a positive and trusting relationship is important to forge between client and therapist. Coming Soon: The Neurodiversity Center of Princeton is getting started in 2024! Together with my husband, Jeremy Kestler, our hope is to create a community hub for Neurodivergent individuals and families in Central New Jersey and to provide compassionate, informed care to meet their unique needs. In addition to offering psychological services (Lisa) and career and life coaching (Jeremy), we provide consultation for school-related issues, parent coaching, and family support groups. As we grow, we will offer a referral network of affiliate members, consultation, and neurodiversity training for schools, healthcare providers, businesses, and other organizations. About Me: Before starting my private practice in 2015, I was a researcher in child and clinical research for over 15 years. I completed a predoctoral internship at the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) and a postdoctoral fellowship at UMDNJ Institute for Study of Child Development. My research training continues to shape the way I think about clinical work, which included providing psychological assessment at The Gifted Child Clinic and at The Dyslexia Center of Princeton. I received my bachelors in Psychology from Princeton University and my PhD in Clinical Psychology from Emory University. I live in Lawrenceville with my husband, 2 teenagers, 2 cats, and a lizard. Most if not all of us are neurodivergent, so it’s an interesting household!