Clodagh Leszinski, LCMHCA

Clodagh takes a relational and attachment-based approach to therapy and believes that behaviors, emotions, and relationship patterns often make sense within the context of a person's experiences, environment, and connections with others. Rather than focusing only on changing a behavior, she is interested in understanding what may be happening underneath it and what that behavior may be communicating. She helps young people explore emotions and experiences that may be difficult to recognize or put into words, including fears or concerns that may be holding them back, while developing healthier ways of coping, communicating, and connecting with others.

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She enjoys working with children and adolescents who may be struggling with big emotions, behavior, relationships, or difficulties at home or school. She recognizes that young people do not always communicate what they are experiencing directly, and that anger, avoidance, shutting down, or conflict can sometimes reflect emotions and needs that are harder to identify or express. With younger children, Clodagh incorporates developmentally appropriate play, games, and creative activities to build connection and enter the child's world at their pace. She pays attention not only to what a child says, but also to how they play, interact, and communicate, allowing trust to develop and creating space for difficult feelings and experiences to emerge naturally.

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Clodagh has a particular interest in working with parents and caregivers, both around parenting concerns and the emotional and relationship challenges that can come with raising a family. She works collaboratively with parents to better understand what may be driving their child's behavior, strengthen connection and communication, and navigate boundaries and expectations with greater confidence and consistency. Her previous work with children and families experiencing significant emotional and behavioral challenges has shaped her understanding of attachment, trauma, disrupted relationships, foster care, adoption, and major life changes, as well as the importance of understanding a child's behavior within the context of their experiences.

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Clodagh is trained in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) — a structured, evidence-based approach specifically designed to help children and adolescents process traumatic experiences and develop healthy coping skills. This training, combined with her relational and attachment-based foundation, allows her to support healing at every level of a child's experience.

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Originally from Dublin, Ireland, Clodagh has lived in different cultures and values the perspective that comes from experiencing different places and ways of life. As a mother of three boys, she brings a personal appreciation for the different stages and challenges of parenting and family life — not just professional understanding. Outside of work, Clodagh enjoys spending time with close friends and family, being outdoors, learning about what shapes human behavior, and traveling.