Leah Riedlinger LCSW

I am a person of equally deep faith and doubt, and my own inquiry of my life is very important to me. I view effort and curiosity as life-long virtues that I want to continue to cultivate in myself and so I try very hard to hold myself accountable for the same practices that I help my clients create in themselves. I really believe in people and in myself and I think being alive is amazing and that everything matters. When everything matters that is nothing that can enter the therapy room that doesn't feel important to me.

• Oregon, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, L11303

Connections and relationships have always held a central role in my life. Before turning towards the field of people and pursuing healing and surviving in a professional capacity, I did a lot of manual labor, including working in the fishing industry in Alaska and as an electrical apprentice. In 2009 I took a big leap and left my whole life behind to move to a Zen monastery in Japan where I stayed for 3 1/2 years getting to know myself and my fears very intimately. After returning to the US, I worked as a case manager for the unhoused community and as a research assistant for a psychological research agency. Eventually, I went back to school and earned a Master of Social Work in conjunction with grant funding from Child Welfare. After working with families affected by the foster system for 3 years, I turned to being a therapist full time. I love my job and feel so amazed by all the incredible people that I get to work with and learn from.