Shani Leichter is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Massachusetts, where she works with young adults, women, and couples. Many of her clients are dealing with major life transitions including coming out, grief, transitioning to adulthood, or shifting family dynamics. They may also be working through identity exploration, relationship difficulties, low self-esteem, anxiety, or struggling with body image. She is particularly passionate about supporting members of the LGBTQIA+ community and their families.
Shani is trained in person-centered and emotionally-focused therapy. The foundation of her work is the development of strong therapeutic relationships with her clients. Shani focuses on helping her clients notice and name patterns in their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. This approach supports clients in being able to better understand themselves and their relationships. Shani’s clients tend to be insight-oriented and motivated to engage in the therapeutic process.
Shani's style is warm, non-judgmental, patient, and highly attentive to issues of social justice. When clients first start therapy, she takes great care to establish a counseling space where they feel safe, supported, respected, seen, and heard regardless of background. Shani deeply values the trust that her clients place in her when things are hard and is grateful for the opportunity to be of help in their times of need.
Shani received her Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Lesley University. Prior to entering private practice, she worked at a public four-year high school serving adolescents with a variety of life experiences and challenges. Shani offers counseling in a convenient virtual setting. She is often accompanied by her dog, Jake, who has been known to make occasional appearances in sessions. Should he ever happen to overhear anything, he promises to uphold the highest level of confidentiality.
