Leif Moa-Anderson (He/him)

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

DBT was born out of CBT and mindfulness, both of which I have studied separately. Getting certified in DBT, thus, seemed natural. I don't do the strict protocols of DBT, which is a group therapy, but I use a lot of the principles frequently.

Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)

When I took a certificate program in CBT, I realized that this it is how I automatically and already approached therapy.

Existential

My first love was philosophy. I believe that we all struggle with the existential conundrums of the human condition, whether we know it or not, and one or more of them is behind all mental and emotional angst.

Anxiety

Anxiety is a natural part of existence for humans, in fact, you need it! However, there are existential concepts such as perfection, permanence, and fairness, that can create unresolvable anxiety. We can, however, learn to manage that anxiety caused by these infectious false concepts. I have helped many clients with OCD, social anxiety, hoarding, and PTSD driven phobias. I use mindfulness based CBT to address the behaviors a systems perspective to address the cognitions.

Codependency

There is a theory that all psychologic issues stem from attachment wounds and that everyone one has attachment wounds. Now, I'm not sure if that is really true, but we at least all have a first heartbreak. I have helped with deep attachment issues such as, Reactive Attachment Disorder, Borderline Personality Disorder, and chronic codependence. Your attachment wounds may not be that severe, but they are may still be negatively affecting your relationships in ways you don't realize.

Relationship / Marriage Issues

Whether you are a part of a couple (or poly) or just come in by yourself, or maybe it's about platonic or work relationships, this has been the main focus my academic studies. My Masters degree is actually in Systems Psychology, which is basically the perspective that an individual's psychology is driven, at least in part, by all of the systems with which they are connected or even have been connected. I have helped many clients improve their relationships with themselves and others.

Men's Issues

I have participated in several men's groups and was elected leader of the men's group at my graduate school my second year. I have spent many years working through my own issues with masculinity and have found comfortable place with it, but I know from personal experience that the journey is not easy. Cultural ideas about masculinity are changing and much of what used to be taught about being a man is now seen as negative, but it is still possible to be a good man and I can help with that.

Personality Disorders

If you have been diagnosed with a personality disorder and have received enough treatment for individual outpatient therapy to be appropriate, I may be able to help you. I have experience helping people with Borderline Personality Disorder, Dissociative Identity Disorder, Narcissistic Personality Disorder, and Obsessive Compulsive Personality. I highly recommend at least one full round through a Dialectic Behavior Therapy (DBT) group course, which takes six months, before individual therapy.