Cara Lisa

Cara grew up in a suburban New Jersey town, the only child of a single mother. They lived together in a tiny, two-bedroom garden apartment until she was twenty. Much of her informal education comes from the residents of that apartment complex and those that dwelled alongside it. Despite her shiny exterior, she has suffered from anxiety, depression, and various addictions since she was a child. She maintained this “dysfunctional functioning” without anyone realizing it for most of her life.

As a young adult who detested the mediocrity of public education, she managed to graduate from high school with absolutely no plans to continue. Instead, she worked various jobs to help pay for her Firebird Formula and growing shoe obsession. These jobs include retail sales, bartender, waitress, personal trainer, aerobics instructor, and secretary at Merrill Lynch. After finding these professions less than inspiring, she decided to give in and try a semester of college. She went on to receive both her BA and MA from Rutgers University. Ironically, she chose education as her chosen career, becoming a highly respected elementary school teacher and literacy specialist. Her professional resume includes certified yoga teacher, aromatherapist, reiki healer, pet sitter, animal rescue volunteer, and author.

Her personal resume is vastly more diverse. She has “danced in the dark'' with Bruce, had supper at Elton John’s table, sipped tea with David Bowie, helped Donald Sutherland pick out shoes, and opened a jar of nuts when no man backstage was capable. She used to fit in Bon Jovi’s jeans, but that was long ago. She has stood next to some of the most famous actors and musicians of all time, as well as some not-so-famous folks. Each one of them has left a lifelong impact. She describes her life as “ an eclectic playlist of many genres.”

Cara is the mother of four perfect, unique, and not at all ordinary young adults. She’s spent the first half of her life “Looking for love in all the wrong places.” It wasn’t until she confronted her locked away feelings surrounding abandonment, abuse, and trauma that she finally found peace and the genuine love she had always dreamed of.