Meet Lisa Zucker | MSW, LCSW, Certified Thanatologist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lisa Zucker and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lisa, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
I’m from South Florida. My parents and my grandparents were always involved in charitable work which had a huge impact on my sense of purpose in the world: that taking care of others and being of service to the community is at the core of our family values. Becoming a social worker was a natural extension of this. Throughout my personal and professional life, grief and loss would at times become central, leading me to focus my work on Thanatology. Now in my private practice, I work mainly with people who have lost a loved one, with caregivers, and with people who have a terminal illness as well as educating the community about trauma, grief, and loss.

What should our readers know about your business?
My career was an evolution that started at the age of 16. My youth group advisor, David, who was the kindest, most sincere human being, died suddenly in a car accident. My family was always grounded in service to others but losing David and wanting to honor his memory solidified for me that my profession would be one where I acted as David did, to care for others. Over the course of my professional training and early career, I worked in a myriad of organizations with populations ranging from pediatric oncology to substance detox to a dialysis unit to foster care. Despite the shift in direction my focus would take, working with dying people or with families and individuals after someone had died would surface and draw me in. I feel that grief work is a spiritual calling that I was meant to do. I embraced this calling, joining my dear cousin Edie, may she Rest In Peace, at my first Association for Death Education and Counseling conference which led to pursuing a certification in Thanatology.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
When my husband and I were getting married, we chose Islamorada because the Keys were always very special to this South Florida girl. I have so many fond memories of snorkeling at Pennecamp and eating (and dancing) at Alabama Jacks. My dad, may he Rest In Peace, who proudly flew a Conch Republic flag, made a narrated CD, with interspersed Jimmy Buffet music of course, about the Keys history for our wedding guests to listen to on the drive down from Miami airport.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
PU4P – Professionals United for Parkland. As a founding board member, I was honored to serve alongside some of the most knowledgeable, empathetic trauma professionals in service to the Parkland community following the shooting at MSD High School. The work they are continuing to do provides the community with much needed guidance, support, and services.

Website: www.lisazucker.com
Facebook: @lisazucker.lcsw

Image Credits
Courtney Ortiz Photography