Exploring Life & Business with Lesley Lasker of Lasker and Associates, a Therapy Collective

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lesley Lasker.

Hi Lesley, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Deep down, I always knew I would become a therapist. I’ve always been fascinated by people and their stories. When my husband, Scott, and I started our family, I was fortunate enough to be able to devote myself fully being a stay-at-home parent to our three children for 17 years. Those were some of the most wonderful, meaningful and formative of my life.
Then, in 2008, as the recession hit, I felt a pull and a need to finally pursue the dream I had set aside. At 42 years old, I enrolled in a Master’s program in Psychology. Balancing graduate school with the demands of family life was challenging, but I loved every moment of it. I knew I was exactly where I was meant to be.
Near the end of graduate school, I had a serendipitous encounter with Jackie Rosenberg, OTR, the founder of Babies First Class. We began talking about ways I could work with parents, and she took me under her wing as a mentor. Together, we created an 18-month parenting program for families with children ages two to eight. I went on to teach that program at Babies First Class for over 11 years—an experience that profoundly shaped the way I work with parents today.
During that time, I completed my degree, passed my licensing exams, and became a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. In 2013, I opened my private practice, Lasker and Associates, a Therapy Collective while continuing to teach parenting classes. Looking back, I can see how every step—from raising my own children to returning to school later in life—gave me a deeper understanding of what it means to support others through life’s transitions.
In my private practice, I work exclusively with adults. Over the years, I’ve come to believe that the most meaningful way to help a child is often through their parents. When parents gain insight into their own emotions, patterns, and histories—and learn the tools to regulate themselves—they naturally become more grounded, connected, and attuned to their children. That’s where real change begins.
One of the biggest hurdles for many people is simply making that first call to a therapist. For the parents who had taken my classes, that step came more easily. They already knew me—my style, my warmth, and my approach. Those relationships allowed me to build my practice organically and to weave together my two passions: helping parents and walking alongside people as they gain insight and tools to live their lives to the fullest.
Today, my practice has grown to include clients ages 18-85 navigating a wide range of challenges—anxiety, depression, grief, marital struggles, life transitions, and, of course, parenting. I now also supervise pre-licensed therapists in my group practice, giving me the opportunity to mentor the next generation of clinicians. Guiding new therapists as they develop their voice and confidence in the work feels like a full-circle moment—an extension of the same passion for teaching, nurturing, and growth that has guided my journey from the very beginning.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely hasn’t always been a smooth road, but every challenge has helped me grow—both personally and professionally. Going back to graduate school at 42 year old was one of the first big hurdles. I hadn’t used my brain in that academic way for nearly 20 years, and suddenly I was writing research papers, studying for exams, and juggling my family’s needs all at once. It was humbling and exhausting, but it also reminded me how much I love learning.
Once I became licensed and opened my private practice, a whole new set of challenges appeared. As therapists, we’re trained to care deeply for others, but we’re not necessarily taught how to run a business. Learning the administrative side of a private practice including billing, marketing, managing schedules, and eventually hiring and supervising associates was a completely different education in itself.
And then, of course, came the pandemic. Overnight, my in-person parenting classes had to shift to Zoom which I had never used before. I started teaching from a makeshift office in my home at 8:00 p.m., once parents had put their kids to bed. Those sessions often ran until 10:00 p.m., I had to work really hard to keep the parents engaged. They had been juggling life at home with their kids, their work obligations and the magnitude of fears and complications that the pandemic was creating. Many parents kept their cameras off—understandably—because they were tired or cleaning up after long days at home with their kids so I had to have a lot of energy and enthusiasm to keep them tuned in. Most importantly for me, it meant losing that face-to-face connection and real-time energy I’d always relied on. It was draining in a whole new way.
At the same time, I had to transition all of my therapy sessions to a virtual format. It was unfamiliar at first, but ultimately it turned out to be a blessing for everyone. Virtual therapy made support more accessible for so many people. Clients could log in from home (often hiding in their bathrooms or closets). Now that we are all familiar with virtual meetings, most my clients prefer virtual session and log on from home, work, or even from their cars in-between meetings or errands. It has allowed therapy to fit more seamlessly into the client’s life and I find that the quality of connection has remained just as strong. The pandemic was an incredibly challenging time, but it pushed me to adapt, to grow, and to discover new ways to connect. In the end, it deepened my appreciation for the resilience of both my clients and myself.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
I’m the founder of Lasker and Associates, a Therapy Collective, a group practice based in Los Angeles. We’re a team of compassionate, highly trained therapists who provide therapy for individuals, couples, and families. Our work is grounded in connection, curiosity, and emotional honesty. We meet clients exactly where they are and help them understand themselves more deeply so they can move forward with clarity and confidence.
While my early work focused on parenting and supporting families, my private practice has evolved to specialize in working with adults navigating anxiety, depression, grief, relationship challenges, and life transitions. I often say that my passion for parenting work naturally expanded into helping the parents themselves—because when adults feel more balanced, supported, and self-aware, everyone in the family benefits.
What sets Lasker and Associates apart is our human-centered, relational approach. We’re not just here to give advice or tools; we help clients uncover the “why” behind their feelings and patterns. Our goal is always to help people understand themselves better, strengthen their relationships, and create meaningful, lasting change.
I’m incredibly proud of how my practice has grown. Not just in size, but in purpose. I now supervise and mentor pre-licensed therapists who share the same commitment to thoughtful, compassionate care. Watching them develop their clinical voice and confidence has been one of the most rewarding parts of this journey. It means I can serve more clients while nurturing the next generation of therapists who will carry this work forward.
Brand-wise, I think what defines us is authenticity and trust. Every therapist on our team values connection, kindness, and professional integrity. We strive to create a space where clients feel safe to be vulnerable, to be seen, and to grow. Whether someone comes to us for parenting struggles, grief, or anxiety, we meet them with empathy and curiosity rather than judgment.
If there’s one thing I’d want readers to know about Lasker and Associates, it’s that therapy doesn’t have to feel intimidating or clinical. It can be warm, empowering, and especially, transformative. We believe that everyone deserves a space to be heard and understood—and that growth happens best in relationships built on safety and trust. That’s at the heart of everything we do.

What matters most to you?
What matters most to me, both personally and professionally is connection. Real, authentic connection. Whether it’s between a parent and child, a couple working to rebuild trust, a client learning to reconnect with themselves, or for me personally with my family and friends, that sense of being truly seen and understood is at the core of everything I do.
As a therapist, I believe that healing happens in relationship. When people feel safe enough to be vulnerable, to explore their emotions without judgment, that’s where growth begins. It’s the same principle I brought into my parenting classes and now into my therapy work—helping people slow down, reflect, and understand themselves and the people they love in a deeper way.
Connection also drives how I lead my practice. I care deeply about the therapists I supervise and the clients we serve. I want everyone who comes through our doors, whether they’re seeking therapy or learning to provide it, to feel supported, valued, and inspired to keep growing. That sense of community and shared humanity is what keeps me grounded and grateful every day.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://laskerandassociates.com
• Facebook: Lasker & Associates, Therapy Collective