Cecilia Leal

Cecilia is a Licensed Master Social Worker offering bilingual individual and relationship therapy (English, Spanish, or both). She received her Master of Social Work (MSW) from the University of Georgia and her Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Drama from New York University. Prior to pursuing a career in mental health, Cecilia spent a decade working as a performing artist across multiple mediums and various cities, making her uniquely suited to walk alongside those pursuing a creative life. Additionally, Cecilia grew up in a bilingual household with Latine immigrant parents from Argentina and Cuba, providing a well of authentic empathy and foundational lived experience in her areas of interest.

Offering a safe and affirming space built on genuine connection, Cecilia strives to provide a soft place to land for clients to process, reflect, question, and heal. Cecilia’s therapeutic style integrates an empowering and holistic approach with behavioral techniques. Her framework is rooted in Relational-Cultural Theory, centering the therapeutic relationship, the impact of healthy relationships on growth, and the role of culture, power dynamics, and societal factors on mental health. She is also influenced by Psychodynamic Theory, Internal Family Systems (IFS), and Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT). Cecilia’s approach is collaborative, direct, and honest, led by curiosity, compassion, and often humor.

Cecilia enjoys working with a range of concerns and populations, holding a special interest in working with artists and creatives, “third-culture kids,” multicultural relationships, adult children of immigrants, identity exploration and development, self-worth, the LGBTQ+ community, eldest daughters, relational conflict, and trauma.

Cecilia is currently supervised by Erika Pluhar, PhD, EdS, LMFT, LPC, CST-S.