Leisha Borja, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

Valencia, California

VerifiedTelehealth Available

Professions: Clinical Social Worker, Marriage & Family Therapist, Mental Health Counselor

Languages: English, Japanese

My Approach to Therapy

I typically begin with a client-centered approach that focuses on strengths and empathy to empower and motivate you through the therapeutic process. I also use a psychodynamic approach to engage in in-depth work and identify unconscious parts that may be shaping your current behaviors. Some people prefer a more goal-oriented approach, and I often combine client-centered work with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT increases awareness of automatic thoughts, beliefs, and behavior patterns that may have served as protection and survival, but are now contributing to the distress you’re experiencing. My passion is taking a systems approach to support families in finding solutions to the problem together. I also use emotion-focused therapy (EFT) from a trauma perspective to help couples and individuals understand patterns of engagement and disengagement through an attachment lens, and to build safe, emotional connectedness with partners and others.

My Practice & Services

I completed graduate school at Pepperdine University in 2011 and have been practicing as a psychotherapist since 2010. I became a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in 2014. In response to the critical need for mental health services during the 2019 COVID Pandemic, I opened Thriving Lotus Family Therapy Group, INC to serve more people within the community of Santa Clarita and the state of California. Prior to my work as a Marriage & Family Therapist, I provided positive parenting and behavioral therapy to children with special needs. Post-graduate, I completed an externship in Functional Family Therapy and am experienced in assisting families to decrease incidences of acting out in adolescents. I am a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional with the International Association of Trauma Professionals. I come from a second-generation Southeast Asian culture and have a deep understanding of the struggles of adolescents and their families adjusting to Western cultural values and internal conflicts with assimilation. I am a survivor of trauma, which has given me great insight into my clients experiencing PTSD, anxiety, and depression.

On the Fence About Going to Therapy?

Reaching out can bring up many opposing emotions. My biggest strength is being able to relate to each of my clients on many levels. Partly through my extensive training and mostly through similar, lived experiences. If I am unable to match with you or your needs and availability, I have handpicked a team of extraordinary clinicians that our admin will connect you with, so you can stop your daunting search here. Our mission: To improve quality of life on a daily basis. We aim to assist in the recovery of traumatic stress within children, adolescents, adults, and their families. The goal of our clinicians is to create a space of safety and progress from surviving to THRIVING. Our vision: To be the providers of choice in the field of traumatic stress in Santa Clarita Valley. We aim to employ the most compassionate and culturally competent trauma specialists in the area. Why Us? The process of reaching out for help during difficult times is challenging enough. Our objective is to have the best trauma-informed clinicians, whom have the highest compassion and are well informed in the do’s and don’ts of responding to trauma. Please, take a look at our other specialities under Owner Experience and Team members. Together, we have a combined 35+ years of experience, which will increase as we continue to grow. We accept most major insurances: Aetna, Evernorth (previously known as Cigna), Lyra, Health Net, Health Net Medi-cal, Optum (United Behavioral Health) and all PPO plans. We are providing both in person and telehealth sessions and have current openings in evenings and Sunday's.

Expertise & Specialties

Age Groups I Work With

ChildrenTeensAdults

Groups I Work With

School-based children, teens, young adults, adults, individuals, couples, families, and groups.

Therapy Services & Specialties

Family Therapy Group Therapy Individual Therapy & Counseling Marriage, Couples, or Relationship Counseling Telehealth

Concerns & Challenges Addressed

Abuse / Abuse Survivor IssuesAcademic ConcernsAdjusting to Change / Life TransitionsAnxietyAutism SpectrumBody ImageCaregiver Issues / StressCommunication Problems

Therapeutic Approaches & Evidence-Based Methods

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Brainspotting (BSP)Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)Emotion Focused Therapy Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR)Gottman MethodInternal Family Systems (IFS)

Industries & Communities

BIPOCLGBTQ+Military/Law EnforcementSelf-Employed and Freelance ProfessionalsUnion First