We recently connected with Lisa Foster and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Lisa thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Was there an experience or lesson you learned at a previous job that’s benefited your career afterwards?

I have been working with patients for over 25 years, and I’m proud to say that I am continuously refining my treatment approaches and learning important life lessons every day. I am a firm believer in a team approach, where the client is as much of the healing process as I am as their therapist.
One particular experience truly opened my eyes to an important life lesson. There was an infant who was brought in to see me because she was constantly fussy, crying, and having difficulty sleeping – breast and bottle feeding was incredibly difficult. The baby was distressed and uncomfortable, and her mother was worried and sleep-deprived.

As part of my CranioSacral training, we are trained to listen to the whole person and support the patient where they are in their current state. So, this is exactly how I approached this baby – I used the gentle technique and supported the infant’s nervous system while also working directly with the mother’s nervous system at the same time. It was incredible to see the beautiful connection between mother and child. As the baby’s nervous system relaxed, so did the mother’s and vice-versa.

After that treatment session, I was expecting to see them back in my office for a follow-up appointment in a few weeks, but they had yet to book a follow-up session which intrigued me. Of course, my natural reaction was that I figured the session was not beneficial, and they must have found an alternative treatment. A few weeks later, I received an email from the family that said, after our session, the infant had stopped crying, feedings had improved, and both mom and baby were getting more sleep. She said she felt her infant was doing so well she did not need a follow-up session. I was thrilled.

The lesson I learned that day was not to assume outcomes. As a healthcare worker, I always want the best for my clients. And, it is powerful to know how many lives I have touched and may not even know.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

For as long as I can remember, I have always wanted a career in healthcare. In college, I took a class called Adaptive Aquatics; we had this unique opportunity to have hands-on experience working with adults and children in the swimming pool. I worked with a woman who struggled to walk but could do so with the support of the water, achieving significantly more mobility with less pain. The class also helped me realize how much I loved working and helping people with their physical challenges in a one-on-one setting. Experiences like that were so personally rewarding for me, and they led me to explore becoming a Physical Therapist professionally. I was fortunate to work in New York City at the prestigious NYU Medical Center, where I was able to rotate through many departments, including acute care, outpatient rehabilitation, inpatient rehabilitation, and pediatrics. My joy in working with children was especially meaningful, and it was at this point that I decided to specialize in pediatric physical therapy.

I moved to Colorado with my husband in 2003. It was when I began to work in Boulder that my whole client-treatment perspective changed. I was introduced to CranioSacral Therapy (CST) through my colleagues. CranioSacral Therapy is a gentle, hands-on treatment that releases tension in the central nervous system. When the nervous system is balanced, it allows all other systems in the body to work optimally. This allows the body to relax, self-correct and heal. At first, I was skeptical because how could something so gentle be so effective? I was curious and began studying this technique….and it truly changed my life. Not only was this technique effective with my patients, but it changed me as a person too. It taught me a deeper understanding of patience, how to listen without judgment, and how to be present and live my life “in the moment.” I was hooked! Before I knew it, I was opening my own private practice in Lafayette, CO, where I use CranioSacral Therapy as my primary modality working with both children and adults. I am grateful to be working in a field that I truly love.

As a certified CranioSacral therapist, I am trained to not only treat various conditions of the body, but I am sensitive to the needs of emotional balance and well-being of my clients as well – and this is what I integrate into their treatment sessions. Every client is different, and each person comes with their own story that influences their recovery process. Witnessing these stories as they unfold is truly an honor. I feel that using CranioSacral Therapy allows the body to tell its story. Seeing my clients heal from the inside out is why I come to work each day. I specialize in treating both adults and children with a number of conditions, including; migraines and headaches, depression, anxiety, stress disorders, post-concussive symptoms, infant torticollis, ankyloglossia (tongue-tie), and autism.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

My best strategy to build my practice is word-of-mouth referrals. I initially started my practice by working on friends and colleagues suffering from; headaches, neck pain, and concussions. I found each time I worked with someone, they would tell a friend, and that friend would tell a friend. Before I knew it, my clients were now talking to their doctors, chiropractors, and other healthcare professionals. Seeing and hearing about the improvements and outcomes shared by my clients, those doctors began to refer clients to me – I would reach back to them, introduce myself and answer any questions they had about CranioSacral work. My clients are my best promoters for my practice, which warms my heart because it shows the work was impactful for them, and now they want to share it with those they love and respect.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

I love books that help me to refine my true purpose. Simon Sinek’s Books “Find Your Why” and “The Infinite Game” have been particularly powerful. They have made both quantifiable and emotional impacts on my life and my business. Sinek opened my eyes to my purpose and core belief and helped me answer my “why” for what I do. Having this foundation is essential so that all other decisions I make in my life and practice align with my core beliefs. Building a business around what truly is important to me makes me want to go to work every day. When you love what you do, those feelings will trickle down to those around you.

I also love podcasts, and helping others is one of my many passions. I started the Real Life Momz Podcast to connect moms and support them through the journey of parenting. It has been an incredible experience, and the podcast has reached over twenty countries worldwide. I interview a new mom each week, and we discuss a current topic in parenting. My mission is to help a mom in need, but I discovered that this journey has also helped me grow both as a parent and as a person.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.mapletoncst.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lisafostercst/
• Other: Real Life Momz Podcast https://www.reallifemomz.com/