About me

Even in the digital age, getting to know someone through a website is tough. I’ve created this page to provide a bit more information about me in terms of my education and areas of specialty, but please don’t hesitate to contact me by phone or email if you have specific questions about my training, practice, or expertise. For more about my theoretical approach and how I practice therapy, please see About Therapy: Why Untangle?

Education and training

I hold a Master’s degree as well as Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Duquesne University, which means that I have received 6+ years of education and training in the practice, research, and teaching of psychology. This comprehensive program of study, coupled with over a decade of clinical experience, has provided me with many lenses through which to understand people, and my particular focus is in depth oriented, existential, and psychoanalytic forms of therapy. These schools of therapy differ from many contemporary approaches in their focus on the entirety of the person, philosophical roots, emphasis on meaning, and goals of self exploration, illumination, and unification. I am fully licensed as a Psychologist (PY60681942) in the state of Washington, and have been working in mental health since 2007.

*Please note that prior to November 2019, I conducted my business and professional activities under the first name Leah. If you are searching for more information about me, you will find my degree, prior publications and presentations, and more relevant professional information by searching for Leah Boisen.

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Areas of specialty

In addition to my areas of specialty, my doctoral education means that I have been trained as a generalist, and I am also well equipped to work with a number of different individuals and common concerns, including:

  • Depression

  • Anxiety

  • Social anxiety

  • Sleep issues

  • Panic attacks

  • Relationship troubles

  • Struggling with motivation

  • Attention issues

  • Desire to make a lifestyle change

My specific background has provided me with expertise in the following issues, and I specialize in working with individuals dealing with:

  • Identity based issues

  • Concerns related to trans, genderqueer, or gender variant identity

  • Gender and/or gender identity issues

  • Issues related to sexuality

  • LGBTQ specific concerns

  • Trauma, both recent and past

  • Sexual trauma or sexual assault

  • Loss of meaning

  • Times of transition (e.g. loss, pregnancy, gender transition, life stage transition)

 

Because of my approach, I also see psychotherapy as a process of self care and growth, and especially enjoy working with individuals who would like to use therapy as a  means of self-exploration. 

"Owning our story can be hard but not nearly as difficult as spending our lives running from it." - Brene Brown