About Jessica Lief’s Practice

Speciality:

Eating Disorders, Body Image, Borderline Personality Disorder, Self-Harm, Substance Use

I am a licensed clinical social worker and psychotherapist who specializes in the treatment of eating disorders, body image, Borderline Personality Disorder, self-harm, and substance use.  I completed psychoanalytic training through the William Alanson White Institute of Psychiatry, Psychoanalysis, and Psychology in the Eating Disorders, Compulsions, and Addictions (EDCAS) Program. I also completed the advanced clinical supervision training program through Smith College School for Social Work. I am a faculty member at Smith School for Social Work and Sarah Lawrence College where I teach eating disorders as a social justice issue.

My approach is primarily psychodynamic but combines aspects of self-psychology, feminist/womanist theories,  Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Seeking Safety, mindful self-compassion, and mindfulness. I am particularly interested in the treatment of eating disorders as a social justice issue, as they relate to people of color and the LGBTQ+ community. I am also also adept at treating individuals diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder.

My grief and loss work is broad but focuses on motherless daughters, maternal grief and wounding, and emotional abandonment. I also work with individuals who have experienced miscarriage, fertility-related issues, postpartum depression, anxiety, and psychosis, as well as postpartum PTSD. I also work with individuals undergoing IVF and who have struggled with women’s health issues, such as Endometriosis and PCOS, as well as individuals who are pregnant and struggling with an eating disorder.

My favorite part of being a therapist is guiding each client in their transformation and witnessing each step as it is achieved. I will work with you to identify what is deeply meaningful and important in your life. The client will develop concrete skills to get their needs met directly. I will help you to develop powerful, inner resources, including self-compassion, emotion regulation techniques, radical self-acceptance, and confidence. I earned my undergraduate degree from Sarah Lawrence College with a concentration in literature, nonfiction writing, and French. I also earned a master’s degree in Advanced Clinical Practice in Social Work from New York University.  I also earned a Master of Studies in Law with a concentration in Health Law with high honors from UC Law San Francisco. Currently, she is enrolled in a doctorate in social work program through Simmons University.

LCSW# 87286

“Jessica’s style has been described as nurturing, empathetic, and empowering. She is direct, authentic and will never blame you for your suffering. She enjoys using humor in psychotherapy.”

Values and Approach

My personal values include integrity, authenticity, empathy, diversity, equity, inclusion, humor, education, and humility. I use a health at every size framework in all areas of my work, as well as an anti-diet approach. I also value Womanist/Feminist and Eco-Womanist perspectives in my work. I believe in disability justice, gender affirming care, as well as anti-racist work. This shows up in my work because I have studied the work of Sand Chang and Sabrina Strings. I use these readings to inform my work. I have also relied heavily on the writing of Morales in her book Kindling on disability justice. I value art and nature and use this in my work as well.  I am committed to seeking further training and education in subjects that interest me. I am in a doctorate program and have pursued advanced training in supervision and eating disorders. I believe all bodies of all shapes and sizes have value. I am committed to fat liberation movements as well. Above all, I value our relationship in psychotherapy and will provide unfettered dedication to your work in ways that I am able.

My clinical work is informed by my professional training and also my lived experience. I have always worked with marginalized groups of people, including communities of color and the LGBTQIA population, as well as individuals struggling with disabilities. Licensed in California and Massachusetts, it is an honor and privilege to be on this journey with you. I am privileged to be a psychotherapist, a supervisor, an educator, and faculty member. My educational and clinical experiences inform my practice as an eating disorder and body image specialist.

 I work with folks who include:

Folks of color and the LGBTQIA population struggling with eating disorders, substance use, self-harm, trauma, and Borderline Personality Disorder. I also work with attorneys, athletes, and perinatal and postpartum clients. I work with women, as well as those with neurodiversity. I also work with individuals struggling with chronic pain, unexplained pain, auto-immune issues, as well as issues like polycystic ovarian syndrome and endometriosis.

Here is my website:

www.jessicalief.com

My email is jessicalieflcsw@gmail.com

My clinical philosophy includes serving marginalized groups and working from an anti-oppressive framework. I do not pathologize and will never blame you for your suffering. I use an integrative approach, including inner child and parts work, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Seeking Safety, mindful self-compassion, trauma focused treatment, narrative therapy, EMDR, psychodynamic psychotherapy, solution focused therapy, Feminist and social justice frameworks, as well as Womanism, Black Feminism, and Eco-Womanist.

SPECIALTIES

– Trauma (relational/complex), attachment wounds, grief

– Marginalized experiences and identity exploration (racial, gender, cultural, etc.)

– Eating disorders (Binge Eating Disorder, Anorexia, Bulimia, OSFED, ARFID), disordered eating, body image issues

-Substance use

-Borderline Personality Disorder

-Self-Harm