About Your Therapist
Hi, I'm Lea
I'm a Professional Counselor Associate (MA) who works with kids, teens, and families in Portland, OR. I believe therapy should feel like a safe place — not a sterile office where someone nods at you for 50 minutes.
My Story
I didn't come to therapy through a straight line. I came to it because I know what it's like to need someone in your corner — and not have them. I know what it feels like to be a kid who's struggling and not have the words for it, and I know how exhausting it is to be the parent trying to hold everything together.
I earned my Master's Degree from Adams State University in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, and I work from a trauma-informed lens. I've spent time in both residential and outpatient settings working with high-acuity children, teens, and families — the really hard stuff, not just the everyday challenges. That experience shaped how I show up in the room.
As a queer, neurodivergent, BIPOC woman in Portland, I understand firsthand the importance of affirming representation — and I intentionally center that in my clinical work. Every young person deserves a therapist who sees their whole self, not just a diagnosis.
I am a COVID-conscious therapist and will fully honor and adhere to masking and any other precaution requests to support your health and comfort.
When I'm not in session, you can find me exploring Portland with my family, drinking too much coffee, and probably laughing at my own jokes.
How I Work
I pull from several evidence-based approaches and tailor my methods to each kid and family. Here's what that looks like:
Narrative Therapy
Helping kids rewrite the stories they tell about themselves — from 'I'm broken' to 'I'm figuring it out.'
ACT
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy builds psychological flexibility — learning to sit with hard feelings and still move forward.
Emotion-Focused Therapy
Getting to the root of emotions instead of just managing symptoms. Because feelings aren't the problem — being stuck in them is.
Humanistic Approach
At the core of everything I do: the belief that every person has the capacity to grow, heal, and thrive when they feel safe enough to try.
Everyone Belongs Here
I work with kids and families of every background, identity, and family structure. My practice is explicitly affirming of LGBTQIA+ youth, neurodivergent kids, BIPOC families, and anyone who's ever felt like they didn't quite fit the mold. You don't have to earn belonging here — you walk in with it.
Supervision
As a Professional Counselor Associate, I work under the clinical supervision of Alphonso Nunez, MA, LMFT #T2282. This means you get the benefit of my fresh, up-to-date training backed by an experienced licensed clinician who reviews my work and ensures the highest standard of care.
I'm Rooting for Your Family
Your child deserves someone in their corner — someone who sees them, gets them, and helps them build the skills to navigate whatever life throws their way. Let's start with a conversation.
(503) 421-2148
hello@totstoteenscounseling.com
