Hello there! I’m Lisa LaRochelle, and I’m so excited to be part of the team at KDH Counseling. If you’re a parent, caregiver, teacher—or someone raising a tiny human—I’d love to tell you a little about what I do and why I love it so much.
For the past twenty years, I’ve been deep in the world of Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health. And if you're wondering, “Wait, that’s a real field of mental health?”—you’re not alone. I didn’t even know it existed until after grad school! But once I found it, that was it. I was hooked. Turns out, those first few years of life are where so many foundational things happen—and they matter a lot.
I've had the privilege of learning from some of the best in the field—people like Dr. Charles Zeanah (he literally helped write the book on infant mental health), along with Kadija Johnston, Sherryl Heller, Allison Boothe Trigg, and Mary Margaret Gleason. I currently serve as a Senior Consultant with the Louisiana TIKES team, where I get the opportunity to support early childcare centers and provide reflective supervision to mental health consultants across the state. Since 2007, I’ve worked closely with early childhood educators—those everyday heroes who are out there helping shape future humans.
Great question. I believe mental health work with young children is really about relationships. Sure, we want kids to learn their ABCs and 123s, but just as important (if not more!) is their ability to regulate emotions, build secure connections, and safely explore the world around them. That’s the heart of early childhood mental health.
And here's the kicker: we don’t just work with the child. We work with the relationships around the child. That might be parents, teachers, or caregivers—because when one person in that little ecosystem grows, the ripple effect touches everyone. When we support the adults, we support the children. When we support the teachers, we support the whole classroom. And that? That’s beautiful.
Although early childhood is my specialty, I also bring nearly two decades of experience working with people across the lifespan. I spent 18 years at a local nonprofit here in Lafayette, starting as a student intern and eventually serving as clinical director. Over those years, I wore many different hats—providing therapy, supervising interns and clinicians, writing grants, and even helping move the office (four or five times!). I like to think I was a steady presence there—someone who cared deeply about the mission and the people. I was often told I was the “heart” of the agency, and I received that as the highest compliment.
And then, life shifted. Some personal losses, some much-needed therapy of my own, and a long-overdue look at my own patterns (hello, codependency) led me to pause and re-evaluate. I realized I could still love the work and give myself permission to grow in new ways. That journey brought me here—to a place where I get to do what I love, in a way that aligns with who I’ve become.
People sometimes ask me what kind of therapist I am. My answer? One who listens deeply. One who honors your story. One who believes that healing happens in the context of relationships.
I use an attachment-based, trauma-informed lens—which is a fancy way of saying I want to understand what happened to you, not what’s wrong with you. I also like to understand who’s in your village—because we all need one. Whether we’re five years old or fifty, we do better when we’re connected, supported, and seen.
You can expect me to challenge you (gently), encourage you, and sometimes laugh with you—because therapy doesn’t have to be all heavy, all the time. Growth can be messy and beautiful and even kind of fun.
Over the years, I’ve been trained in a number of evidence-based approaches, including:
I work with both externalizing behaviors (like attention issues or aggression) and internalizing symptoms (like anxiety or withdrawal). I use a strengths-based approach, and I love bringing creativity into the therapy room—whether that’s through play, art, sand trays, or good old-fashioned imagination.
And yes, I also work with parents. Because let’s be honest: raising kids is hard, and you deserve support too.
I’m a Lafayette native who grew up doing theatre and somehow made my way back to the stage later in life. Performing is my joy—it reminds me that we all have a role to play and that everyone’s contribution matters. I believe in inclusivity, creativity, and the power of community. I’m proud to be a neurodiversity-affirming, LGBTQIA+-allied clinician—and if that feels important to you, you’re in the right place.
These days, I’m lucky to have a loving husband and three amazing kids. One is about to head off to college (cue the tears), and one still lets me snuggle him (for now). I’m grateful every day to be doing meaningful work in a supportive community—both through my role with TIKES and now as part of the KDH Counseling team.
If you’re looking for someone to support your child, your family, or yourself, I’d be honored to be part of your journey. I’m currently available for sessions on Wednesday evenings, and I’d love to meet you.
Whether you’re navigating tantrums, transitions, or just trying to figure out what’s going on in your little one’s big feelings, I’m here for you.
Let’s grow together.