Life By Design Therapy

  Hello! My name is Leah Kaplan and I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker.   I am queer identified and am particularly attuned to working with clients in the LGBTQIA+ community.  I support clients in strengthening the interpersonal connections in their lives as well as their relationship to the natural world in order to bring balance into their lives. I utilize mindfulness based practices , ecotherapy, expressive arts therapy and a collaborative, person centered approach to support you in moving through life’s challenges and centering your joy. https://www.lifebydesigntherapy.com/leah-kaplan-lcsw

  Making friends as an adult is much more complicated than it was in elementary school. For example, in adulthood, it is normal not to see or talk to your friends every day -- in some cases, you may go weeks to months without contacting a close friend, and that's okay! Unfortunately, any of us are not taught the skills we need to successfully build and navigate adult friendships. These include the communication skills to initiate friendships and work through grievances. By strengthening these skills, you can become better prepared to deal with the complex landscape of adult friendships. Contact Life by Design Therapy today to learn how we can help you develop the communication skills you need to be an amazing friend as an adult! https://www.lifebydesigntherapy.com/teen-therapy

  Making peace with who you truly are is the fastest road to a happy life 💙 Let us know in the comments below if you agree! Life By Design Therapy https://www.lifebydesigntherapy.com/

  Nothing is worth more than your sense of emotional peace 💙 Let us know in the comments below if you agree! www.lifebydesigntherapy.com

  Relationships are so fundamental to a healthy life that we go to great lengths to make them work. You may compromise too much, or too little. You may have certain beliefs or habits that are so difficult to break free from and restrict you from having a strong bond with your partner. When relationships turn for the worst there is plenty of pain, confusion, fear, heartache and uncertainty. However, when relationships encounter these hurdles, a professional therapist can help you examine the relationship closely and determine how to proceed. https://www.lifebydesigntherapy.com/leah-kaplan-lcsw

  Overcoming your emotional challenges is painful now, but your resilience will make a powerful tool for inspiring others in the future 💙 Let us know in the comments below if you agree! https://www.lifebydesigntherapy.com/

  Anxiety is a vicious cycle that can be difficult to break out of. Fear feeds hypervigilance and avoidance of triggers. Without interrupting the cycle, it can go on forever. You deserve to live a life free from chronic stress and fear. Contact Life by Design Therapy today to connect with a therapist who can help you interrupt the cycle of anxiety. https://www.lifebydesigntherapy.com/leah-kaplan-lcsw

  When you have high-functioning anxiety, you might blend in, or even go undiagnosed, because your anxiety does not disrupt your performance at work or school. On the outside, you might still appear to be an organized, capable, hardworking person -- but taking care of your responsibilities does not mean that you are not struggling on the inside. What are some signs of high-functioning anxiety that you can relate to? Let us know in the comments below! https://www.lifebydesigntherapy.com/anxiety-therapy

  Many of us are tempted to cancel plans when our mood is low . We might feel guilty for needing to take this time to ourselves, and even wonder why we keep doing it. If you feel bad for canceling plans, remember that it likely isn't because you are avoiding the people you care about. It's more likely because you are too exhausted to be social, or because you do not want to burden others with your problems -- even if you do not realize it. How about you? Let us know in the comments below when the last time you canceled plans was and why you did it! https://www.lifebydesigntherapy.com/getstarted

  Hello! My name is Leah Kaplan and I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker.  I utilize mindfulness based practices, ecotherapy, expressive arts therapy and a collaborative, person centered approach to support you in moving through life’s challenges and centering your joy.  I encourage clients to connect to their communities as well as to the natural world in order to bring balance into their lives.  I enjoy working with teens, adults, and families and specialize in work with queer and gender non-conforming folks.  I hope to help you find and nurture your inner strength, purpose and passion through our work together. HOW LEAH WORKS https://www.lifebydesigntherapy.com/leah-kaplan-lcsw

  Did you know that crying has benefits for your physical and emotional health? It releases feel-good hormones that dull pain and help relieve uncomfortable emotions. It's also much healthier than bottling up your emotions, no matter what messages society may send about people who cry. https://www.lifebydesigntherapy.com/holistic-somatic-therapists

  Talking to your partner during conflict is not always easy or constructive. When stressors are at an all-time high and patience is at an all-time low, it can make for a very difficult conversation or a potential argument. If you’re finding it hard to communicate with your partner during conflict, it may be time to change your approach. Our latest blog post shares some communication skills you can practice next time you’re in the middle of conflict with your significant other - link in bio! https://www.lifebydesigntherapy.com/blog/trouble-in-paradise-how-to-practice-better-communication-skills/1/2022

  Our bodies communicate with us through wordless signals . Every ache, pain, or sensation of discomfort is a message that something is not sitting right, whether physically, mentally, emotionally, or spiritually. What is your body trying to tell you today? Let us know in the comments below 💙 https://www.lifebydesigntherapy.com/holistic-somatic-therapists

  The process of healing is one of change, but unlike the trauma you experienced, it is marked by a sense of control over your destiny 💙 https://www.lifebydesigntherapy.com/trauma-therapy

  Leah Kaplan, Online Clinical Social Worker for CA residents — Holistic and Somatic Therapy | Berkeley & Richmond Leah provides therapy for adults, couples, teen, and families online. Utilizing a truly holistic approach, Leah blends expressive arts therapy and mindfulness practices in her work. Offering free 20 minute phone consultations to get started. https://www.lifebydesigntherapy.com/leah-kaplan-lcsw

  MY ANXIOUS THOUGHTS CAN BE OVERWHELMING: HOW TO USE AFFIRMATIONS TO HELP EASE ANXIOUS THOUGHTS  ANXIETY SUPPORT by Melody Wright, LMFT Anxious thoughts or worries can be caused by stress and anxiety. You may have noticed that current world events, as well as the ongoing pandemic, may have impacted or increased the amount of anxious thoughts you’re experiencing. If you’re finding that your anxious thoughts are becoming overwhelming, using coping mechanisms such as affirmations can help you ease your anxious thoughts.  Affirmations can be described as positive statements that can help you challenge and address anxious, or worrying, thoughts. Affirmations are usually short statements that are meant to help you feel in control of your thoughts and emotions. When practiced enough, they can help us make positive changes and stop our anxious thoughts from escalating or becoming overwhelming. If you’re ready to create some affirmations for yourself, you can reference the tips below while y

  The aftermath of a so-called "mental breakdown" can be rough. We may not feel like ourselves physically, after lots of crying or becoming ill, or emotionally. We may have even done damage to important areas of life, such as our work or our relationships, in a fit of sadness or anger. After a mental breakdown, it's important not to put too much emphasis on the past. You cannot change what already happened, but you can look toward the future -- and how you can stop it from happening again in the future. If you want to prevent future breakdowns, you have to look within to identify the stressors that led up to the mental health crisis -- and what you could do to remedy those stressors. ( Therapy can help! ) https://www.lifebydesigntherapy.com/

  Hello! My name is Leah Kaplan and I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker.   I am queer identified and am particularly attuned to working with clients in the LGBTQIA+ community.  I support clients in strengthening the interpersonal connections in their lives as well as their relationship to the natural world in order to bring balance into their lives. I utilize mindfulness based practices, ecotherapy, expressive arts therapy and a collaborative, person centered approach to support you in moving through life’s challenges and centering your joy.  My experience in the mental health field includes providing care for transition aged foster youth, LGBTQ Seniors and youth, and as a therapist in healthcare, I’ve developed a passion for working with teens, adults, and seniors. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, I look at clients' challenges through a systems approach, meaning looking at the underlying social, economic and political forces that might be driving our discomfort.  With this

  Sometimes, when we believe we are undeserving or otherwise flawed, we might engage in self-sabotaging behaviors that prevent us from achieving our goals. These behaviors include forms of self-harm, including substance abuse or unsafe sexual activity, as well as negative self-talk. In a relationship, it could include pushing people away or intentionally starting arguments. Self-sabotage is a vicious cycle that can be hard to break free from -- but starting to notice the ways in which you might be holding yourself back is the first step toward success. Licensed Clinical Social Worker Immediate Openings for Online Sessions https://www.lifebydesigntherapy.com/leah-kaplan-lcsw