Leah Parnes, LPC, CAADC completed her graduate degree at Eastern Michigan University and has experience working in a variety of university, nonprofit, and healthcare settings. Prior to joining the team at Lotus, Leah spent several years developing critical skills as a clinician by providing therapy for individuals struggling with addiction and mental health disorders. She specializes in depression and mood, anxiety disorders, substance abuse and co-occurring disorders, student mental health as well as working with healthcare providers and compassion fatigue (STS).
Utilizing a person-centered approach and strengths-based focus, Leah works to foster safe, open, non-judgmental space of growth and healing for those she works with. As part of her efforts to cultivate this type of environment, Leah strives to create a practice guided by collaboration with her clients, their needs and goals for therapy, focusing on critical dialogue and an equitable relationship of mutual respect where counselor and client act as partners in healing and growth. She incorporates evidence-based interventions such as CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy), mindfulness based approaches such as ACT (acceptance and commitment therapy), MI (motivational interviewing).
Additionally, Leah enjoys assisting clients with life transitions including college mental health and other life stages, career and guidance counseling as well relationship concerns. Leah is passionate about advocacy and social justice issues.