Shani Leichter (she/her/hers)

At the end of the day, life is largely a series of transitions. And change is hard! Even good change can be hard. Whether you're post-high school planning, moving in with your partner, coming out, moving out, ending a chapter, or writing a new one, you don't have to navigate this transition alone.

I belief that grief is one of the hardest emotions to navigate. It's universal and it really freaking sucks. It often feels like healing is one step forward and forty-seven steps back. You might be doing okay and then all of a sudden a sight, a sound, a smell runs you over like a freight train and you feel back to square one. Whether someone you love has received a terminal diagnosis or your ready to deal with a loss that's lingered for years, I'm deeply honored to join you on your journey.

I believe that grief is one of the hardest emotions to navigate. It's universal and it really freaking sucks. It often feels like healing is one step forward and forty-seven steps back. You might be doing okay and then all of a sudden a sight, a sound, a smell runs you over like a freight train and you feel back to square one. Whether someone you love has received a terminal diagnosis or you're ready to deal with a loss that's lingered for years, I'm deeply honored to join you on your journey.

We are told from an incredibly young age that our value and our worth are inextricably tied to our appearance. That if we don’t meet society’s standards we aren’t worthy of love, respect, or happiness. Yeah…hell no. I am a HAES-aligned, anti-diet clinician dedicated to helping women identify and unpack the toxic messages we get from diet culture. Using principles of intuitive eating, let's get you on a path towards food freedom and self-acceptance. You are enough, just as you are.

Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT), which can be used for individuals and couples, uses a non-pathologizing, person-centered, experiential approach that views the alliance between the therapist and client as paramount. EFT is deeply collaborative and highly transformative. Based on attachment theory, EFT helps the client explore past experiences and patterns of behaviors to understand the way they relate to themselves and others and to use this understanding to as a tool for change.

In the person-centered approach, the client's subjective views and experiences are the focus of the work. A central tenet of person-centered therapy is unconditional positive regard, which deeply informs all aspects of my work. Unconditional positive regard means supporting and accepting my clients, well, unconditionally. I believe that my clients are inherently worthy of love, care, compassion, and respect without exception.

My graduate training was largely based in humanistic and person-centered therapy, which are closely aligned. Humanistic therapy, which falls under the person-centered umbrella, focuses on the whole person and takes a strengths-based approach. Humanistic therapists believe in the inherent goodness of people and believe in their ability to make positive change. In this therapy, the relationship between client and clinician is the foundation for self-exploration and growth.

No matter where you are in life, I'd guess that you're feeling tired, worn down, and burnt the hell out. In my experience, burnout comes from many sources - conflicting priorities, masking (hello fellow neurodivergent folks!), ignoring or hiding parts of our identities from others and often ourselves, and the comparison trap that many of us fall into - thanks, social media! When we are struggling with burnout, everything feels harder. Let's help you find ways to rest and reset.

As a queer woman, this is my jam. Some of my favorite work is supporting folks who are questioning, exploring, and rethinking the norms that they have been implicitly and explicitly taught. I am passionate about helping people feel that they are "enough" to be in this community. Being straight-passing, or being in a straight-passing relationship doesn't negate your identity.

As a queer woman, this is my jam. Some of my favorite work is supporting folks who are questioning, exploring, and rethinking the norms that they have been implicitly and explicitly taught. I am passionate about helping people feel that they are "enough" to be in this community. Being straight-passing, or being in a straight-passing relationship doesn't negate your identity.

As a queer woman, this hits close to home. Some of my favorite work is supporting folks who are questioning, exploring, transitioning, and rethinking norms. I am passionate about helping people feel that they are "enough" to be in this community. Being straight-passing, or being in a straight-passing relationship doesn't negate your identity. While there power and relief in living your truth, you are valid whether you transition or not. You are always enough.

Relationships are effortful. I think this what most people mean when they say relationships are hard. We make a choice to be with our partners and love is a verb. At times we get a little lost - needs changes, situations change, *we* change. In relationships, these things inevitably arise. Using a combination of approaches, I work with couples to help sweep aside the eggshells they've been walking on, reestablish open communication, and gain a greater sense of empathy, connection, and peace.

As a queer woman, this is part of my heart and soul. Some of my favorite work is supporting folks who are questioning, exploring, transitioning, and rethinking norms. I am passionate about helping people feel that they are "enough" to be in this community. There can be confusion, uncertainty, and excitement - it runs the gamut - *and* embracing your full, authentic self is so empowering. It's a process, it's a journey, it can be liberating (and fun!). You are valid and I'm so glad you're here.

No matter where you are in life, I'd guess that you're feeling tired, worn down, and burnt the hell out. In my experience, burnout comes from many sources - conflicting priorities, masking (hello fellow neurodivergent folks!), ignoring or hiding parts of our identities from others and often ourselves, and the comparison trap that many of us fall into - thanks, social media! When we are struggling with burnout, everything feels harder. Let's help you find ways to rest and reset.