Dr. Lisa Rochford, Ph.D.
Dr. Lisa Rochford is a licensed clinical psychologist whose joy is working with children, teens, and adults to discover answers to their unique challenges and map out plans for enhancing their well-being. She provides psychological evaluations for individuals of all ages at FamilyFirst.
Dr. Rochford first found inspiration for a career in psychology on the plains of South Dakota, where she was privileged to work with at-risk Native American children in a school setting. Despite the all-too-common presence of extreme loss, mistreatment, and poverty that encircled them, she marveled at the strength and resilience that was written into their lives. Today, she feels privileged to help others build their own sense of strength and resilience.
Dr. Rochford received her doctorate with honors from the University of North Carolina in 2005, with research into behavioral disorders and their impact on parent-child attachment. She completed a dual clinical and school psychology internship with the Virginia Beach Schools, followed by a residency focusing on play therapy with children in the foster care system. Most recently, her work has centered on psychological testing for learning disorders, autism, ADHD, mood, anxiety and other difficulties.
A former Northern Virginia newspaper reporter, Dr. Rochford sees her evaluations as part detective work and part storytelling. Knowing that we hold our difficulties in one hand while we hold our successes in the other, she sleuths out the answers clients need and provides comprehensive recommendations and resources to improve their lives. Having provided therapy for many years, Dr. Rochford delights in learning about the most effective approaches and networking to find local services that might benefit her clients.
When not at work, you might find Dr. Rochford on her way to a yoga class, enjoying the beauty of nature, or reading a suspenseful novel. She is the mother of two grown boys and a third in elementary school. A native of North Carolina, you might detect a bit of a southern drawl from time to time – her warm and personable style helps clients feel at ease, listened to, and nurtured throughout the testing process. Dr. Rochford would be delighted to work with you or your child.