A note from Leigh:

My goal as your therapist is simple – to help the relationship you have with yourself and others thrive. Gaining a clearer understanding of oneself and being understood by the people in our lives can provide us with unmatched feelings of acceptance, support, and security.

In our individualistic society, it can often feel like we shouldn’t have these needs. We’re expected to navigate the ups and downs of life alone and carefully avoid all signs of dependence. But here’s the catch: a 75-year Harvard study on adult development found “good relationships keep us happier and healthier; loneliness kills.” In reality, the quality of our relationships determine the quality of our lives. 

The difficulty is, as we change and grow, and get caught up in the daily grind, we forget to tend to our relationships and they can begin to feel burdensome. Part of what I do is normalize that relationships are work. Over time they disappoint us, trigger us, and often serve as mirrors for parts of ourselves we like the least. We start to forget that they bring us joy and purpose and get wrapped up in toxic thought patterns. The neglect breeds contempt and then we feel more disconnected than ever. My passion lies in helping you reconnect with yourself and your loved ones. 

But healing does not happen overnight. It requires us to examine the past, present, and future. It requires the intention of looking inwards and uncovering the things that are hard to face. In fact, our relationships with bosses, coaches, grandparents, co-workers, in-laws, siblings, etc. often tell us more about who we are and how we connect than the other person. 

I like to work with clients slowly but with a solution-focused approach. I model a foundation of trust, compassion, and respect for yourself one another and use an eclectic mix of Gottman, emotionally-focused therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, mindfulness, motivational interviewing and psychodynamic theory. As a couples therapist I can serve as a translator between you and your partner. I teach couples how to lead with interest and curiosity instead of their defenses helping them discuss the hard stuff in an environment that is emotionally regulated and constructive. 

In addition, my prior experience as a military counselor and identity as a black, millennial woman, has rooted my therapy in cultural competence and sensitivity. I help clients think about community and feelings of belonging. I believe therapy should be collaborative and a safe place to be heard and seen. So let’s work together; let me be one fruitful relationship among many.

I am pleased to share that I am in-network with Aetna Insurance.