A Bit About Me

Hey there, my name is Leah. I use the pronouns she/her.
I’ve been working as a licensed therapist in the mountains of North Carolina since 2020. (License #15746) I obtained my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology at the University of Delaware, and my Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Western Carolina University. I also am a Licensed Clinical Addiction Specialist (LCAS # 26859).

I have had my own experiences with mental health. The adjustment of moving to a new city/state was a bit of a shock to the system when I made my way to Asheville. In recent years I received an ADHD diagnosis, which was eye opening to me as I thought I was just an anxious person. Turns out, I was more so worried I would forget things, which was pretty common with my ADHD symptoms, that I tended to overcompensate. Mental health can look like so many different things, so why not get the support you need?

I think one aspect that sets me apart from other practitioners is my love for pop culture. I invite my clients to bring that into our sessions. If you find certain characters or themes relatable in movies, television, music or books, it can be really rich for processing our experiences. Not only does representation of our experiences help to “normalize” our experience, we can also recognize some of these themes to be universal.

When my grandmother passed away, I found myself drawn to the band Touché Amore, and their album “Stage Four.” It supported me through my grief process, while creating a sense that I was not alone in it.

Therapist Leah Guarino standing on a rocky coastal trail with sea stacks and ocean in the background, wearing sunglasses, a black t-shirt, purple jacket, black pants, and tan boots under a partly cloudy sky.
Therapist- Leah Guarino with red hair, glasses, tattoos, wearing a colorful T-shirt and green shorts, sitting on a slanted tree branch in a forest, with lush green foliage in the background.

Who I may not be a good fit for…

Here are some ways I may not be the right therapist for you, or things to consider when determining if I am a good fit.

  • If you thrive in highly structured environments. While I take a less structured approach to sessions, I can still provide support but it may be less regimented.

  • If you require “homework,” on a consistent basis.

  • If you’ve struggled with psychosis, or extreme levels of dissociation.

  • If you are under the age of 18, or looking for couples work.

  • Clients seeking first time autism diagnosis.

  • Clients with a main focus on eating disorders, or personality disorders, or OCD related disorders.

  • Clients seeking an ESA letter consultation.

  • If you are needing more than 1 session a week.

Please reach out if you have any additional questions or concerns related to my scope of practice and best fit.

Questions for your own consideration when seeking a therapist…

Below are some questions that may be helpful for you in determining fit, and also for phone consultations:

  • Am I in-network with your insurance, and if not, what does the session cost typically look like?

  • Do you have a preference for in-person vs. telehealth?

  • Have I worked with X related topic you are seeking treatment for? (e.g. depression, anxiety, family conflict, etc.)

  • If therapy went well, what would be different in my life? And what are my goals for therapy?

  • What is my experience with working with X related identity? (e.g. gender, sex, religion, etc.)

When I’m not working…

You can find me rock climbing, listening to punk/hardcore music, getting into some type of craft if that’s sewing, painting, pottery, macrame, (really whatever calls to me that month), watching the latest tv show, following my Philadelphia sports teams, or hanging with my pup Coby.

therapist Leah Guarino with red hair, wearing sunglasses, a black T-shirt with white text, and tattoos on her arm, smiling while leaning on a stone wall outdoors with a green hillside in the background.