About Us

Our Story

Exceptional Wellness Counseling was founded in 2013 by Lisa Hillman, MSW, LCSW, CP, with a simple goal: to help more families access the support they needed.

At the time, Lisa was working as a solo practitioner specializing in therapy for children and teens. As the demand for services grew, she found herself receiving more calls than she could handle. Families often reached out seeking specialized support, and many struggled to find providers in the area who could meet their needs. Even after being referred elsewhere, many would call back hoping she might be able to see them.

Seeing firsthand how difficult it was for families to access mental health care, Lisa realized there was a greater need in the community. She wanted to find a way to expand beyond what she could provide alone.

What began as a small practice focused primarily on children and teens has since grown into a team of more than 40 clinicians and a staff of around 60 professionals dedicated to supporting individuals across the lifespan.

Over the years, Exceptional Wellness Counseling has expanded alongside the communities it serves. The practice grew from its original Manalapan location to include a second office in Shrewsbury, allowing the team to reach more individuals and families throughout Monmouth County and beyond.

Through each stage of growth, one guiding principle has remained the same: compassionate connection. The team believes meaningful healing happens when people feel seen, heard, and supported. EWC has always been committed to creating an environment where clients feel safe and respected, and where clinicians are supported in doing their best work.

Today, Exceptional Wellness Counseling continues to grow while staying grounded in the values that shaped it from the beginning—providing thoughtful therapist matching, accessible care, and a welcoming space where individuals and families can find the support they need.

Rooted in Diversity, Driven by Compassion.

At Exceptional Wellness Counseling, we are dedicated to creating a safe, welcoming, and affirming environment for everyone we interact with—whether clients, colleagues, or members of our community. We recognize that each person’s identity, lived experience, and cultural background shape how they move through the world.

We celebrate the diversity of those we serve and those on our team—including, but not limited to, race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, religion, and socioeconomic status. We believe connection and trust are built in spaces where people feel seen, heard, and valued.

As a team, we are committed to ongoing learning, reflection, and dialogue to ensure our actions and services are inclusive, trauma-informed, and rooted in empathy. We actively work to dismantle stigma, challenge systemic inequities, and create meaningful opportunities for access—especially through our low-fee and pro bono offerings.

Everyone deserves to be treated with compassion and respect—and we are here to ensure that happens. You are welcome here, exactly as you are.