Léah Ferreira
Léah Ferreira
(she/her)
My name is Léah Ferreira, LMFT, licensed in California (LMFT #128659) and Oregon (LMFT #T2207). I hold a master’s in marriage and family therapy (2018) and am pursuing my PhD in psychology, specializing in LGBTQ+ and Gender Fluidity. As a queer therapist and foster care survivor, I’m passionate about creating a safe, compassionate space for healing - one where clients feel heard, validated, and empowered. I know how hard it can be to ask for help, and I’m honored to support each person’s unique process. My approach is warm, empathetic, and judgment-free, even though we’ll meet virtually. Thank you for being here; I believe in your strength.
Get to know me
In our first session together, here's what you can expect
During our first session, we will spend considerable time getting to know each other. You will be welcome to ask me questions, and I will answer them if I can. I will also ask you questions based on the information you gave me in your intake questionnaire to fill in some details. You may also meet my cats, as I have five who often join us in sessions. I have four black cats that I affectionately call my Voids: Minerva, Severus, Remus, and Filius. Then, there’s the baby, my psycho calico named Luna. We will also take care of the necessary paperwork and review your intake forms to ensure all logistics are in order.
The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions
My communication style is characterized by calmness, warmth, and engagement. Even though we are meeting virtually, my goal is to create an arena of comfort where you feel comfortable, heard, and supported. You deserve to feel safe speaking openly. I am not here to judge you but to listen to you. Building that kind of trust is at the heart of our work together. Together, we’ll uncover what’s holding you back, tap into your strengths, and reshape patterns for lasting change. Nothing changes if nothing changes. My goal is to help you see that you are not your struggles. You have the power to overcome them, and it’s an honor to be along for the ride. With humor, mindfulness, empathy, and active listening, I will validate your experiences and celebrate your strengths.
The clients I'm best positioned to serve
Start your path toward growth and healing with a personalized approach that honors your unique mind and spirit. Together, we’ll uncover what’s holding you back, tap into your strengths, and reshape patterns for lasting change. Nothing changes if nothing changes. I specialize in working with women and men who are coping with complex trauma, childhood trauma, and obsessive-compulsive behaviors. I meet each person with empathy and utilize trauma-informed care. I also work with couples who are working through infidelity, communication breakdowns, unmet needs, and other relationship conflicts. Many of the people I work with are part of the LGBTQIA+ community. They identify as transgender, gender non-conforming, non-binary, and gender fluid. I often guide couples through issues related to gender identity, ethical non-monogamy, polyamory, BDSM, and kink. I am also comfortable working with you, even if you feel you don’t fit into any of these groups or categories. All are welcome in my practice. My goal is to help you see that you are not your struggles. You have the power to overcome them, and it’s an honor to be along for the ride. With humor, mindfulness, empathy, and active listening, I validate your experiences and celebrate your strengths.
About Léah Ferreira
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VirtualMy treatment methods
Narrative
In narrative therapy, I work with you to explore the stories you tell about your life and how those stories shape your sense of self. I view you as separate from your problems, which means we can look at issues like anxiety, depression, or trauma as things you experience—not who you are. Together, we identify the dominant narratives that may be limiting you and uncover alternative stories that highlight your strengths, values, and resilience. I’ll support you in reauthoring these stories in ways that better reflect who you truly are and what matters most to you. This approach allows us to challenge messages from society, culture, or past experiences that may have shaped how you see yourself. Through this process, you can gain a greater sense of agency and feel more empowered in your life.
Motivational Interviewing
When I use Motivational Interviewing (MI) in our sessions, we work collaboratively to explore your ambivalence about change in a nonjudgmental and supportive way. I try to help you clarify your goals and values by using open-ended questions, reflective listening, and affirmations, and recognize the discrepancy between your current behaviors and desired outcomes. Rather than confronting resistance, I "roll with it," encouraging you to voice your motivations for change. MI supports your autonomy and builds self-efficacy, reinforcing your belief in your ability to make meaningful changes. This approach is instrumental with clients who feel stuck, uncertain, or hesitant about engaging in therapy or making life changes. It can be effectively applied to a wide range of concerns, including substance use, health behavior change, and mental health treatment.
Trauma Informed Care
As a trauma-informed therapist, I prioritize creating a space where you feel physically and emotionally safe. I recognize that your behaviors and emotions may be responses to past trauma, and I approach our work together with empathy and without judgment. I’ll be transparent in how we work, involving you in decisions so that you feel a sense of control and empowerment in your healing process. Together, we’ll build trust through collaboration, allowing you to move at a pace that feels right for you. I also consider how your cultural background and lived experiences shape your story and ensure our work respects those contexts. My goal is to support your growth and healing without retraumatizing you, while helping you reconnect with your strengths.
Exposure Response Prevention (ERP)
In exposure and response prevention (ERP), I help you gradually face the thoughts, situations, or images that trigger your anxiety, without turning to the compulsive behaviors you usually rely on to feel better. Together, we create a plan that starts with less distressing exposures and slowly work our way up, so you can build confidence and tolerance over time. As you practice not doing the compulsions, your anxiety begins to lessen, and your brain learns that you can handle uncertainty without needing to “fix” it. I’ll be with you every step of the way, offering support and helping you understand your feelings. ERP gives you the tools to take back control from OCD and live with more freedom and peace. The goal isn’t to get rid of all your thoughts, but to change how you respond to them.