Licensed to practice in California and accepts 71 insurances. Specializes in Anxiety, Coping Skills, Grief and 10 more.

Leah Hellerstein

LCSW, 10 years of experience
Solution oriented
Open-minded
Warm
VirtualAvailable

I am a licensed clinical social worker who has clinical experience in medical social work, home health, geriatrics, and end of life care. I am looking forward to building my clinical practice with Grow. I am trained in CBT techniques and use a strengths and system based approach to my work. My full time work is managing a team of social workers and support staff in Hospice. I bring a caring, client-centered and practical approach to my work.

Get to know me

In our first session together, here's what you can expect

I will want to get to know you and more about what brings you to pursuing therapy. I will ask for a basic psychosocial history, mental health history and previous therapy experiences. I will ask about the clients goals and what they are looking for in a therapy and how we can work together to achieve your clinical goals and expectations.

The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions

I am very patient centered and do not come with an agenda of my own. I support patients with their goals and bring a strengths based approach to clinical work. I am trained as a social worker - we meet patients where they are at and work from there. I am a practical thinker and will hope to support you with developing simple day to day needs to support your mental health needs.

The clients I'm best positioned to serve

I am positioned to work with clients who need support in managing their day to day mental health needs, from anxiety, to depression, to even basic organizational needs. My experience with clients with chronic health conditions enables me to understand the challenges that health conditions bring to mental health and can support people with achieving their mental health goals while managing their physical health. i have worked with patients of all socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds through my years of clinical work in medical systems in San Francisco. I understand resources and resource management and can help people navigate care as needed.

Specialties

Top specialties

Anxiety

Grief

Other specialties

Health/Medical Issues

Self Esteem

I identify as

Serves ages

Licensed in

Accepts

Cash - $100 per session

Aetna

Aetna - Allied Benefits

Aetna - ASR Health Benefits

Aetna - Luminare

Aetna - Medicare

Aetna - Moda

Aetna - WebTPA

Aetna – HealthEZ

All Savers

Amerihealth Administrators

Amerihealth NJ Medicare Advantage

Anthem

Arlo

AvMed

Blue Cross

Blue Shield

Blue Shield of California - Medi-Cal

Blue Shield of California - Medicare

Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan (Medi-Cal)

CalViva Health (Medi-Cal)

Carelon Behavioral Health (Commercial)

Centivo

Central California Alliance for Health (Medi-Cal)

Cigna

Cigna - HealthEZ

Community Health Plan of Imperial Valley (Medi-Cal)

EAP:Cigna

EAP:Evernorth

EAP:UnitedHealthcare/Optum

Evernorth

Gold Coast Health Plan (Medi-Cal)

Gold Coast Health Plan Total Care Advantage (HMO D-SNP)

Golden Rule

GTEB

Harvard Pilgrim/UnitedHealthcare

Health Net (Medi-Cal)

Health Plan of San Joaquin/Mountain Valley Health Plan – Medi-Cal

Humana - Medicare

Humana Dual (Medicare & Medicaid)

IHSS Healthy Workers

Independence Administrators

Independence Blue Cross

Independence Keystone 65 HMO

Independence Personal Choice 65 PPO

Kern Family Health Care - Medi-Cal

L.A. Care Covered

L.A. Care Covered Direct

L.A. Care Health Plan (Medi-Cal)

L.A. Care Medicare Plus (HMO D-SNP)

L.A. Care PASC-SEIU

Optum

OptumHealth Complex Medical Conditions

Oscar

Oxford

Partnership HealthPlan of California (Medi-Cal)

San Francisco Health Plan (Medi-Cal)

Santa Clara Family Health Plan - Medi-Cal

Scripps Health Plan

SFHP Care Plus (HMO D-SNP)

Sharp Health Plan

Surest (formerly Bind)

Sutter Health Plan

Tufts Health/Cigna

United Medical Resources

UnitedHealthcare Complete Care (C-SNP)

UnitedHealthcare Dual (Medicare & Medicaid)

UnitedHealthcare Life Insurance

UnitedHealthcare Shared Services

UnitedHealthcare StudentResources

UnitedHealthcare/Optum

UnitedHealthcare/Optum - Medicare

Location

Virtual

My treatment methods

Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)

I have completed various trainings in CBT and use this practice to inform my interventions. I am focused on practical approaches to therapy and CBT is in line with my favorite modalities given its versatility and ability to help patients in all areas. I use homework and daily coping strategies as part of this intervention.

Strength-Based

Focusing on one's strengths can boost their self-esteem and confidence. I use strength based interventions in every session to help clients see what they sometimes can not see in themselves and to help them become more aware of their 'superpowers.'

Grief Therapy

I have experience as a clinical social worker in grief therapy and bereavement support groups, in oncology and hospice settings. I have worked with bereaved clients and help them cope and adjust after death.

Group Therapy

I have facilitated oncology and bereavement support groups, as well as facilitating groups and meetings in a professional context. I value the group setting and see a lot of value in getting support from others and/or going to therapy with someone else to sort out problems.

Trauma Informed Care

Trauma affects all part of ones coping and we can't treat any form of mental health need without recognizing trauma. I always take a trauma informed approach to care and incorporate coping and breathing exercises as needed to support therapeutic interventions.

, 49 ratings

7 ratings with written reviews

February 5, 2026

Comfortable she made it easy to start our sessions an seemed to understand what I had trouble explaining

Verified client, age 45-54
Review shared after session 1 with Leah

October 14, 2025

She is very helpful, and made me feel very safe. I felt very comfortable expressing my feelings and I look forward to going and taking the next steps with her.

Verified client, age 25-34
Review shared after session 1 with Leah

October 2, 2025

My therapist has created a safe understanding space, where I feel truly heard, and supported and guided to grow. She’s made a real difference in my life.

Verified client, age 18-24
Review shared after session 8 with Leah