Leah Young, LCPC
Alcohol Counseling Specialist
Addiction Recovery
Eating concerns and self-destructive patterns
Hi, I'm Leah. I help people build lives they're proud of.
I'm passionate about recovery of all kinds and in all forms because I know change is possible. I've seen it for nearly 20 years: people showing up at their worst, putting in the effort, and then building lives they're actually proud of.
I work with people across the full spectrum of concerns. Some aren't sure they want to change. Some are trying to figure out what - if anything - needs to change. Others work with me because they're tired of slipping back into old patterns. I also support people who have just wrapped up IOP or PHP who find themselves wondering: What now? Wherever you are in the process, that's where we'll start.
What's the key to change? Partly it's about figuring out how much it matters to you and building confidence you can do it. But honestly? I think the key to change is more like a giant keyring. There are a lot of keys. We just need to figure out which keys open your doors.
For almost two decades, I've treated substance use, eating disorders, and mental health concerns at every level of care. Regardless of the setting or presenting concern, I've seen how challenging recovery can be, and how courageous people are when they reach out for help. My experience has shown me we can't just prescribe a way out that works for everyone. We need to look at all the complicated, multifaceted aspects of your life to find what actually works.
If you're looking for a passive therapist, I'm probably not for you. But if you're looking for someone who can be direct and candid? Let's talk. I'm more of a guide than a sounding board, especially early on. Together, we'll untangle the knots and really sort through what's working and what isn't so you can build a life that is fulfilling, meaningful, and satisfying.
If you’re interested in working with me, book a free 15-minute therapist matching call with our intake team. You can share what you’re looking for, ask about my current availability, and get a sense of whether I might be a good fit.
On Being a Counselor
When we work together, you can expect a real conversation: interactive, direct, and full of warmth and energy. I'm the kind of therapist who will challenge your thinking, offer honest feedback, and throw in a tasteful dash of irreverent humor. I love thinking outside the box and getting creative about what recovery can look like for you.
If you want my unfiltered take, I'll give it to you. I also know when to pull back and meet you in the quieter moments. You can trust that I’ll adjust easily based on where you are and what you need.
You deserve a therapist who shows up as themselves, is transparent and honest, and accepts you as you are in this moment. I pride myself on being genuine and following through. If that’s the kind of therapist you’re looking for, you can count on me to deliver.
Practitioner Background
I decided to become a counselor because people have always opened up to me. Everyone. Everywhere. About everything. It didn't matter if we were close or total strangers: people would start talking, and I could track what they meant even when they didn't have the words yet. I've always had this capacity to hold someone's perspective without panicking when the story gets complicated, and honestly, this work requires exactly that.
Also? Long before I went to graduate school, I lowkey felt inspired by Jodie Foster's character in Silence of the Lambs. Something about her character's ability to be with realities that others might find scary or overwhelming made sense to me. And while she isn't my professional role model these days, that's what I offer in therapy: a space where nothing is too much or too messy to face.
Over nearly 20 years, I've done direct clinical work (individual, group, and family therapy) and built programs from the ground up, developing curriculum, training staff, and supervising teams. From all of that experience, I've learned the importance of getting back to the basics. Things like: Are you ready to change, or still figuring that out? What's in your control and what isn't? How does change actually happen?
A lot of clinicians skip over the foundational stuff. I don't. When you understand where you are and what you're working with, we can uncover blind spots, focus on strengths, and build a recovery system that works for you.
What keeps me coming back to this work is the people I've worked with over the years. I've seen them show up at their worst, put in the effort, and end up thriving. I wake up every morning knowing this is possible, and I believe it for everyone I work with.
More About Leah
Key Philosophical Beliefs
- Healing requires an environment that meets you where you are, treats you with dignity and respect, and holds hope even when you don't have it.
- Boundaries need to be firm, yet flexible.
- There's no cookie-cutter approach to recovery — we can't hold you to a standard that doesn't match who you are.
- Recovery is about building a life that feels fulfilling, meaningful, and enjoyable — not just stopping a behavior.
- People are capable of change and recovery. Healing is absolutely possible.
Counseling Training
- M.A. Clinical Counseling, The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, Chicago, IL
- B.A. Psychology & B.A. Philosophy, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH
- Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC)
- Trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Trained in Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)
- Trained in Motivational Interviewing (MI)
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
- Radically Open DBT (RO-DBT)
- Emotion-Focused Family Therapy (EFFT)
Specializations and Experience
- Substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health conditions
- Eating disorders and disordered eating patterns
- Chronic relapse and breaking self-destructive patterns
- Support for adults in recovery
- Working with families impacted by addiction
- Nearly 20 years of experience across residential, outpatient, and intensive outpatient settings
- Recognized speaker and educator on addiction and behavioral health
Leah as a Person
I was born outside of Cleveland and lived both in the city and some of the suburbs there. I moved to Chicago long enough ago that I'm basically a Chicagoan now (it's true).
I love doing crossword puzzles, building tiny dollhouses, dancing to 80s/90s music, laughing with my kiddo, and reading. Anything that makes me laugh is a go-to: movies, people, books... doesn't matter. I enjoy it all.
