Lela brings her bright personality, empathy and deep sense of caring to every session and strives to make a meaningful and lasting difference for each client. She is an experienced therapist who specializes in working with adolescents, young adults and families affected by trauma, including domestic violence, intimate personal violence and shattered relationships with self and with others. She also works with people struggling with depression, anxiety, self-esteem, self-worth, academic and professional performance, and emotional regulation. Holding a Master of Social Work from Columbia University, she utilizes Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) and experiential therapies in her practice.
Lela served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Ukraine, where she supported mental health initiatives for vulnerable populations, including children living with HIV, orphans, and internally displaced people. Additionally, she is a children's book illustrator who promotes creativity and well-being in young people. Finally, having received a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Tyler School of Art as well as having a history of being an educator in school systems, Lela brings a unique fusion of various backgrounds, artistic insight and therapeutic expertise to her practice.