Leah Brooks, LCSW
Therapist who blends story and skills
Details
| Name | Leah Brooks |
|---|---|
| Credentials | LCSW |
| Based in | California |
| Licensed in | California |
| Session format | Online |
| Languages | English |
| Years in practice | 11 |
About Leah
Leah Brooks is a licensed clinical social worker with 11 years of practice in California. She uses a narrative-informed approach alongside practical therapies to help people dealing with stress, anxiety, depression, trauma, and LGBT concerns. Leah writes and talks plainly in sessions to make things feel less overwhelming and more manageable.
Leah focuses on making a space where clients can speak freely about difficult feelings. She helps people untangle painful stories they tell about themselves and notice alternate ways of living.
Background and approach
She also uses tools from cognitive behavioral work and acceptance-based methods to address unhelpful thoughts and build small, steady changes. Her work includes attention to self-esteem, body image, sexuality, and issues tied to trauma and abuse. She supports people navigating alternative sex culture, non-monogamous relationships, and first responder or veteran-related stress.
Conversations often cover coping skills, communication, and reducing isolation or shame. Sessions typically mix storytelling and practical practice. Leah will listen for patterns in a person’s life story and then try focused exercises to shift those patterns.
She draws on eye movement desensitization work when trauma memories are a central concern. Leah aims to help people find clearer direction and more self-compassion. She invites clients to set goals and to test small changes between sessions.
The result is a steady, collaborative effort toward feeling more able to face everyday life.
What this therapist works with
Her listing names Stress, Anxiety, LGBT, Trauma and abuse among the things Leah works with, alongside the areas below.
- Stress, Anxiety
- LGBT
- Trauma and abuse
- Self esteem
- Depression
- BDSM, kink, and alternative sex culture
- Body image
- Communication problems
- First responder issues
- Forgiveness
- Guilt and shame
- Isolation / loneliness
- Life purpose
- Veteran and Armed Forces Issues
- Polyamory / non-monogamous relationships
- Post-traumatic stress
- Self-love
- Sexuality
- Smoking / vaping cessation
- Social anxiety and phobia
- Women's issues
- Workplace issues
Approaches listed
- Narrative Therapy: Named in her listing among her approaches.
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): Listed by Leah among the ways she works.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Listed by Leah among the ways she works.
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR): Listed by Leah among the ways she works.
- Jungian Therapy: Listed by Leah among the ways she works.
- Mindfulness Therapy: Listed by Leah among the ways she works.
- Motivational Interviewing: Listed by Leah among the ways she works.
- Psychodynamic Therapy: Listed by Leah among the ways she works.
- Solution-Focused Therapy: Listed by Leah among the ways she works.
- Trauma-Focused Therapy: Listed by Leah among the ways she works.
- Training stated: This directory copies the approaches a therapist names and does not check training records. Ask Leah directly how much of the work is narrative and what a session usually looks like.
Narrative Therapy in this listing
Narrative Therapy appears in this therapist's own list of approaches. That tells you it is part of how she works. It does not tell you how much of a session it shapes, and this directory does not check or rate training.
If a narrative approach is what you are looking for, it is worth asking Leah directly how she uses it and what a session usually looks like.
Online session options
How narrative and practical therapies work online
Leah combines Narrative work with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help people change the stories that keep them stuck. Narrative work looks at the personal stories people tell and finds alternative storylines that make life feel more possible. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people notice painful thoughts and still move toward valued actions. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) gives simple tools to challenge and reframe unhelpful thinking and try new behaviors.Finding the right approach is part of the process. Leah treats therapy as a collaborative effort and will work with each person to decide what methods fit their goals and preferences. She often blends storytelling with short exercises and at-home practice so progress can be tested between sessions.
Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging, which allows flexible ways to connect. Video is useful for deeper conversations and exercises that use facial cues. Phone sessions can be easier when bandwidth is limited. Live chat and messaging are good for brief check-ins, journaling-style work, or when a shorter contact fits into a busy day.
Common questions about this listing
What kinds of concerns does Leah address?
She helps people with stress, anxiety, depression, trauma and LGBT-related concerns, as well as self-esteem and body image issues.
How would you describe her therapeutic style?
Leah blends Narrative approaches with practical techniques from ACT and CBT, focusing on personal stories and hands-on strategies to change unhelpful patterns.
What is her professional background?
She has 11 years of professional experience working with a range of mental health concerns and life challenges.
What credentials does she hold and where is she based?
She holds a Licensed Clinical Social Worker credential - LCSW - and practices in California.
In which languages can sessions be held?
Sessions are offered in English.
What session formats are available?
Leah offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to suit different needs.
How are costs and billing handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, completing a short matching questionnaire, and scheduling according to the therapist's availability.
Contacting this therapist
Sessions with Leah are arranged through our partner platform. It asks a few questions about what you are looking for, then shows you the therapists available to you, including Leah where she has space. Ask about fees, and whether she holds a licence or registration where you live.
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