Dr. Lea A. Theodore

Making the decision to seek therapy takes strength and is an act of vulnerability. I meet all clients where they are. With collaboration, empathy, compassion, and patience, I will work to help you understand the challenges you are experiencing and develop effective and meaningful solutions to become more resilient and adaptive. The therapeutic relationship is a very personal and individualized partnership. Successful therapy requires a high degree of trust with highly sensitive subject matter that is usually not discussed anywhere but the therapist's office. As a psychologist, my primary objective is to understand your present challenges and help you build a rich and fulfilling life, something that may require breaking old patterns and sacrificing short-term comfort for long-term growth. In this journey, I will serve as your guide, both supporting you and challenging you to become your own agent of change and facilitate building sustainable mental health practices. In order to do this, we will work collaboratively to develop a customized and sound treatment plan which uses a range of evidenced-based approaches including​ Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Mindfulness, and Positive Psychology. My counseling orientation is cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) framed within an ecological framework that considers one’s background, including their personal biology, interpersonal relations, culture and community, and environments, as critical influences on development and psychosocial adjustment. This approach views all individuals holistically within and across multiple contexts (e.g., families, schools, neighborhoods, communities, vocational settings) in light of multiple influences (i.e., socioeconomic factors, social policy, reward systems). Traditionally, psychology has focused more on the individual and perceived internal influences and less on environmental factors that influence a person’s adjustment. As a psychologist, I think systemically; I am aware of the profound impact culture and environment have on the multiple aspects of an individual’s life and overall adjustment. I provide evidence-based treatment as well as psychological and psychoeducational assessments for a variety of issues, using evidence-based strategies while also considering adjustment within a larger social system. Every individual can flourish given the proper support and I am dedicated to helping children, adolescents, and adults, maximize their success. I believe it is important to work collaboratively in developing an appropriate treatment plan the incorporates effective strategies to manage difficulties and promote mental health. Therapy can be extremely helpful and fulfilling, and it is a process that requires work both inside and outside of sessions to be most effective. The therapeutic relationship is a very personal and individualized partnership. It is my goal to better understand your present challenges, to mutually develop a sound treatment plan, and to consistently work towards building sustainable mental health practices.