Meet a Mom: Meet Lisa Hillman!

This week’s Meet a Mom is Lisa Hillman, a Brooklyn native who has spent the last 26 years raising her family and building roots in Monmouth County! Lisa is a mom of two grown daughters and the founder and CEO of Exceptional Wellness Counseling, a practice dedicated to providing thoughtful, accessible mental health care for children, teens, and families. Her journey reflects deep community ties, a commitment to care, and the belief that support should feel personal, intentional, and rooted in trust. We’re happy to share Lisa’s story with you this week.

Where are you from originally and how long have you lived in town?

I grew up in Brooklyn and have lived in New Jersey for about 30 years, with the last 26 years spent in Monmouth County. It has been a wonderful place to raise a family and build both personal and professional roots.

Children and ages?

Julia is 23, Emma is 19, and we also have our fur baby, Colby, who is 9.

One thing people would be surprised to know about you…

One thing people are often surprised to learn about me is that I grew up in Brooklyn and went to John Dewey High School, where I was part of the theatre repertory program. I started taking acting classes in seventh grade and really loved it. While my career took a very different path, it
fulfilled a creative side of me that has always been important. I’ve always loved expressing myself creatively, whether through theatre or art.

Anyone special you’d like to thank for helping you through parenthood?

My husband, for riding this roller coaster alongside me and truly being a partner through all of it. Our parents, who helped support us over the years and made it possible for us to have date nights and parent only vacations by being there for our kids. And my friends, who I could count
on through the best and hardest moments, the ones who showed up in real life, not just on social media.

Favorite things to do with your kids?

Honestly, it is the ordinary moments. Playing games together and laughing. We recently brought a new game on vacation called Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza, and it had us all laughing and very competitive. Over the years, I have also loved watching a show together that we can talk
about afterward. We just finished rewatching all four seasons of Stranger Things and then binged the final season. It was such a fun and meaningful bonding experience.

Are you involved in a business venture, a local organization, a creative endeavor, or in the corporate world? Please share.

I am the founder and CEO of Exceptional Wellness Counseling. The work matters deeply to me because I saw how difficult it was for families to access timely mental health care, especially for children, teens, and parents. As a clinician and a mom, I experienced firsthand how limited
those resources were. I wanted to build a place where families could get the support they need without long waitlists, and where care feels thoughtful, accessible, and personal.

How has this community been instrumental in getting you to where you are now?

This community has been instrumental through the relationships we have built with schools, doctors’ offices, wellness organizations, and families. We take a very thoughtful approach to matching clients with the right therapist and never use a one size fits all model. If we do not have the right fit, we refer out, and if something is not working, we rematch. That trust and collaboration within the community has allowed us to grow while staying true to our values.

What is your favorite restaurant in Monmouth County?

Rooney’s in the summer, especially when we can see the ocean.

What is your favorite activity to do with your children in Monmouth County?

Now it is going to the beach. When my kids were younger, Dorbrook Park and the water park were favorites.

What are your mom goals?

My mom goals are to stay present, continue working on myself, and remember that we are not responsible for fixing everything for our kids. I want to model balance, independence, and kindness, make space for adult relationships, laugh often, and spend more time looking at my
kids than my phone.