Ilissa Howard

BA in Psychology and Sociology at Colgate University
Master’s in Clinical Social Work at Columbia University

Member of the American Psychological Association (APA)
Member of the Psychotherapy Society of Hong Kong (PSHK)
Member of the EMDR International Association and the NASW (USA), and RSW (HK)

Ilissa Howard specializes in working with adults and teenagers who are experiencing anxiety or mood disorders, depression, relationship (romantic, friendship, family) challenges, career challenges/transitions, grief and loss, as well as fertility/family planning challenges. 

Ilissa takes a collaborative and solution-based approach to help clients identify and work towards their personal goals. She utilizes a combination of evidence-based interventions tailored to each client. These include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT – Beck Institute trained), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Complicated Grief Therapy (CGT), EMDR (levels 1 & 2) and The Gottman Method for couples therapy (levels 1 & 2). 

Before becoming a psychotherapist, Ilissa worked in the corporate world. This experience gives her valuable insight in supporting clients who face work related stress, challenges with bosses and employees, burnout, transitioning back to work after having kids or are considering a career change.

Originally from the U.S, Ilissa has been an expat for 15 years and is familiar with and able to support cultural transitions, being far away from family, loneliness and isolation as well as other associated challenges. As a mother of 2 young children, she is also able to help clients navigate the challenges and balancing act that is motherhood.