About Dr. Oliver
Dr. Lisa Caraway Oliver, EdD, is a chaplain, educator, and consultant whose work focuses on trauma, grief, bereavement, and end-of-life decision making. She is the Principal of Trauma & Grief Consultants, LLC, where she provides consulting and expert witness services related to trauma, grief, bereavement, and the human impact of serious injury and death. Her work examines how individuals and families experience and respond to medical crises, traumatic loss, and significant life transitions.
Dr. Oliver’s work focuses on helping individuals, families, and organizations understand and navigate the complex emotional, relational, and decision-making realities that accompany medical crisis, traumatic loss, and major life transitions. Drawing on clinical experience and interdisciplinary scholarship, her work explores how trauma, grief, and uncertainty shape human behavior, family dynamics, and meaning-making during periods of profound stress.
She holds a Doctor of Education in Adult Education from the University of Georgia, where her research examined death and dying, emotion work, and informal learning within hospice care settings. She also earned a Master of Science in Instructional Technology from Georgia State University and a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Howard University.
Dr. Oliver completed ACPE Clinical Pastoral Education in Level I trauma center settings at both Grady Health System and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, providing spiritual care in high-acuity hospital environments serving patients and families experiencing trauma, critical illness, and end-of-life circumstances.
Her professional work frequently involves examining how individuals and families respond to serious illness, injury, and death within medical and institutional settings. She considers the psychological, relational, and meaning-making processes that emerge during periods of crisis and grief, helping clarify how trauma, loss, and uncertainty influence human behavior and family decision-making during times of profound stress.
In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Oliver is actively engaged in community education and public dialogue related to death, grief, and life transitions. She co-facilitates the Life Transitions Education Ministry at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, leads grief and trauma healing groups, and regularly facilitates community conversations such as Death Cafés and educational workshops across libraries, faith communities, and civic organizations in the Atlanta region.
Dr. Oliver also serves on the Professional Advisory Group for the Grady Center for Spiritual Care and Education, contributing to the evaluation and development of Clinical Pastoral Education programs and initiatives that encourage thoughtful advance care planning and end-of-life decision making.
Originally from Atlantic City, New Jersey, Dr. Oliver now lives in metropolitan Atlanta, Georgia where she continues to teach, consult, and support individuals and communities navigating grief, trauma, and the profound transitions that accompany serious illness and loss.
Why Discuss Life Transitions?
Life transitions are best discussed before they become urgent. While many of us are familiar with events we may never personally experience, every person will face the transition from life to death—often without preparation.
Too often, these conversations are delayed until a medical crisis occurs, and difficult decisions must be made under stress. Talking in advance—and clearly documenting and sharing your wishes—can help reduce confusion, ease the emotional burden, and create a legacy of peace.
I’m here to help guide these conversations with clarity, care, and intention.
Let's Have a Conversation.
I’m happy to meet with your group—online or in person—to talk about preparing for a positive end of life or to explore other offerings from my Life Transitions Series.
You might even consider hosting a Death Café. It may not sound like a party, but most people leave saying, “That was easier—and more meaningful—than I expected.”
- Consider hosting a Death Cafe; it may not be traditionally "fun," but it won't be as daunting or unusual as you might anticipate..