About Dr. Oliver
Dr. Lisa Caraway Oliver, EdD, is an adult educator, chaplain, and speaker who helps individuals, families, organizations, and communities approach grief, serious illness, end-of-life decisions, and other significant life transitions with greater clarity and confidence.
Dr. Oliver’s work is informed by Clinical Pastoral Education in adult and pediatric trauma settings at Grady Health System and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, where she provided spiritual care in high-acuity clinical environments. This formation contributes to the steady, compassionate, and trauma-informed approach she brings to education, facilitated conversation, and consultation.
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 among hospice care professionals. 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.
Drawing upon adult education, clinical experience, and interdisciplinary scholarship, Dr. Oliver explores how grief, trauma, uncertainty, and significant change affect human behavior, relationships, family systems, decision-making, and meaning-making. She translates complex and often emotionally difficult subjects into education and conversations that are accessible, practical, and respectful of how differently people experience loss and transition.
Dr. Oliver is the Principal of Trauma & Grief Consultants, LLC, where she provides consulting and expert witness services concerning trauma, grief, bereavement, and the psychosocial impact of serious injury and death. Through Dr. Lisa Oliver, LLC, she offers educational programs, presentations, and guided conversations for community and professional audiences.
Her community work includes co-facilitating the Life Transitions Education Ministry at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, leading grief and trauma healing groups, and facilitating Death Cafés, Grief Cafés, and educational workshops across libraries, faith communities, senior living communities, and civic organizations throughout metropolitan Atlanta.
Dr. Oliver also serves on the Professional Advisory Group for the Grady Center for Spiritual Care and Education, where she contributes to the evaluation and development of Clinical Pastoral Education programs and related initiatives.
Originally from Atlantic City, New Jersey, Dr. Oliver lives in metropolitan Atlanta, Georgia, where she continues to teach, consult, and create spaces in which difficult conversations can be approached with clarity, compassion, and respect—before they become unavoidable.
Why Discuss Life Transitions?
Bring the Conversation to Your Community
Bring the Conversation to Your Community
Most of us plan for birthdays, graduations, weddings, retirement, and vacations. Yet many of the conversations that matter most are often left until a crisis forces them upon us.
By talking openly about our wishes, documenting important decisions, and sharing them with those we trust, we can reduce confusion, ease the burden on our loved ones, and create a lasting gift of clarity and peace.
I am committed to helping people have these conversations before they become urgent—offering guidance, education, and practical tools along the way.
Bring the Conversation to Your Community
Bring the Conversation to Your Community
Bring the Conversation to Your Community
These programs are available for churches, senior living communities, libraries, civic organizations, healthcare organizations, and community groups—either in person or virtually.
Whether your group is interested in advance care planning, hospice and palliative care, grief, funeral planning, or other topics from the Life Transitions Series, presentations can be tailored to meet the needs and interests of your audience.
Looking for something more interactive? Consider hosting a Death Café or Grief Café. A Death Café provides a welcoming space for people to talk openly about death, dying, and what gives life meaning. A Grief Café offers an opportunity to explore loss, grief, and life's transitions through shared stories, reflection, and conversation.
While these topics may sound intimidating, participants often leave saying, "That was much easier—and much more meaningful—than I expected."
Coffee, cake, thoughtful conversation, and a fresh perspective
included.