Lawrence Leung

Whether you are a queer teen exploring your identity or a young adult navigating new relationships or transitions, taking the step to seek help is a brave move. I am Lawrence N Leung, an LGBTQ+ 2nd-generation Asian American therapist dedicated to providing individualized care for those seeking to understand how their past impacts their present. I specialize in supporting immigrant and LGBTQ+ teens and young adults dealing with depression and anxiety, relationship issues, and identity exploration. I feel privileged to help my clients achieve their goals and improve their lives by bridging the gap between deep self-understanding and the actionable steps needed to create a more meaningful existence.

I come from a queer- and neurodivergent-affirming space, recognizing that you may be asked to navigate a world that wasn't necessarily built for you while ensuring you feel empowered to stay true to yourself.

Similarly, I speak "Chinglish" (Cantonese/English) and welcome clients who find that some experiences are better verbalized through that blend of language. I value the different lived experiences clients bring to session and am always curious about the parts of us that come to the light when we have the space to let them grow.

When I am not working with clients, I stay connected to the vibrant San Francisco community by exploring new eats and of course, getting boba. I want my clients to feel safe and empowered during our time together, knowing they have a therapist who truly understands the nuance of their lived experience.

My approach is grounded in a psychodynamic framework, which means we will often look at your early relationships to understand how they influence your current patterns. However, I believe insight is most powerful when paired with practical tools. To support our sessions, I integrate skills-based modalities like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), providing concrete ways to strengthen your relationships and manage intense emotions. I hope that my clients will be able to positively grow by feeling empowered to try new things and taking a nonjudgemental perspective towards themselves.

We will focus on a culturally sensitive and neurodivergent-affirming perspective, ensuring that our work honors the full complexity of your identity. Whether we are addressing symptoms of BPD, navigating parenting challenges, or working through depression, the focus is always on your unique needs. Clients should expect to feel heard and supported throughout our time together as we collaboratively navigate the transitions and curveballs life throws at you and find a way to thrive through it.

Our first hour is about slowing down, quieting the demands of the outside world, and focusing entirely on what has been weighing on you. We will spend our time untangling the specific concerns and symptoms that brought you in, moving at a pace that feels comfortable to you. This initial session is dedicated to getting to know you, exploring your history, your current circumstances, and the reasons you are seeking support.

Think of our first meeting as the beginning of a direct, honest dialogue where you can expect to feel heard. By the end of the session, we will have begun sketching out a working plan and identifying the initial goals that will lead us toward success. My goal is for you to leave our first virtual meeting feeling respected, understood, and a bit more hopeful about the path ahead.