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Leah Brooks

LCSW

Compassionate, practical care for difficult feelings

  • Trauma-informed support
  • Focus on anxiety
  • Body image and sexuality

About Leah

Leah Brooks is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) in California with 11 years of experience. She focuses on stress, anxiety, depression, trauma and abuse, and LGBT concerns. Leah aims to make it easier to talk about difficult feelings and choices without judgment. Leah uses straightforward conversation to help people name what’s hard and decide what matters to them. Sessions often focus on practical steps to manage anxiety, build confidence, or cope after upsetting events. She blends mindfulness and behavioral ideas to help people notice patterns and try new responses. For trauma-related concerns, Leah may include approaches that help process distressing memories and reduce their hold on daily life. She also draws on understanding of deeper personal meaning, including Jungian perspectives, when that fits a person’s goals. Her work addresses body image, sexuality, kink and alternative sex culture, and relationship styles like polyamory in an open way. Leah supports people facing role-related stress such as first responder and veteran issues. She also helps those coping with loneliness, guilt and shame, and life-purpose questions. Smoking and vaping cessation are addressed alongside other behavior changes when people wish to make those shifts. Leah invites clients to set the pace and priorities. She asks questions, offers tools, and helps people try small changes between sessions. The aim is clearer direction and stronger day-to-day coping.

Online approaches that match your goals

Leah commonly uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in her work. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) focuses on clarifying what matters to a person and taking steps toward those values, even when uncomfortable thoughts show up. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at the links between thoughts, feelings, and actions and teaches skills to change unhelpful patterns. She may also use elements of EMDR for trauma-related concerns when appropriate. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an approach aimed at reducing the intensity of distress tied to traumatic memories so those memories interfere less with daily life. Finding the right approach is part of the work. Leah will talk with each person about goals, preferences, and what feels most useful. She aims to make decisions together and adapt methods as progress is made. If you are considering online therapy, confirm the current session options before booking since formats are not specified here. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy week, reduce travel time, and allow shorter check-ins when needed. Licensed professionals can use these sessions to teach practical tools, process experiences, and support behavior change in day-to-day life.

License and NPI

LCSW California · No. 80709
NPI1952722431

As shown on the therapist's profile. You can check a license with the state board and an NPI with the national registry.

Areas of expertise

Additional focus areas

BDSM, kink, and alternative sex cultureBody imageCommunication problemsFirst responder issuesForgivenessGuilt and shameIsolation / lonelinessLife purposeVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesPolyamory / non-monogamous relationshipsPost-traumatic stressSelf-loveSexualitySmoking / vaping cessationSocial anxiety and phobiaWomen's issuesWorkplace issues

Therapeutic approaches

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)Jungian TherapyMindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingNarrative TherapyPsychodynamic TherapySolution-Focused TherapyTrauma-Focused Therapy

Experience

11+ years

Credentials

California

Languages

English

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does Leah help with?

She works with stress, anxiety, depression, trauma and abuse, and LGBT issues. Additional focuses include body image, sexuality, kink and alternative sex culture, and post-traumatic stress.

How would you describe her therapy style?

Leah uses clear, practical conversation with mindfulness and behavioral techniques. She helps people notice patterns and practice small changes between sessions.

What is her professional background?

Leah has 11 years of professional experience supporting people with anxiety, trauma, depression, and related concerns.

What credentials and location are listed?

She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, LCSW, licensed in California.

Which languages does she use in sessions?

Sessions are offered in English.

Can people outside the U.S. work with her?

She is not accepting international clients at this time.

How does cost work for sessions?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.

How do I begin working with Leah?

Select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability.

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