"I was ABD for quite a long time. A large block of time could be described as writers block, fear of writing, resistance to writing and an unwillingness to see my fieldwork project end. I hired Lisa in August of 2003 when I realized that I would have to defend my dissertation in December of 2003. I couldn't afford to lose any time. I am a good writer, I didn't need help with the mechanics, I needed help with all the other stuff around writing. Lisa helped me work through some personal issues that were affecting my motivation, she helped me articulate what I needed to create an environment where I could be productive, helped me organize my life so I could do my writing, helped me keep panic and despair at bay so I could keep writing at a regular pace. She helped me set weekly goals and kept me going when disaster struck (operating system failure on the computer, sick child, etc.). She helped me create and maintain a focus on my work that enabled me to write at a high level for a sustained period of time (while teaching and running a household with two small children). It paid off, I successfully defended my dissertation in December and will graduate in May, hooray!"

"When I contacted Lisa, I was making a last effort to finish my dissertation, after several years leave of absence from Columbia, and a living a continent away from my support system within the university. I had a tight deadline and debilitating writer's block; I felt frozen in the headlights. Lisa was at the same time very gentle and accepting - I was nervous enough already and didn't need to be blugeoned - and her methods were solid and got me writing again. I finished and defended successfully. I highly recommend her as a coach."