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Jacob Leigh,
PhD, MHC-LP
(he/him)
therapist
SPECIALIZATIONS
I work with adults, offering sessions for individuals, couples, and people in nontraditional intimate relationships. My emphasis is working with queer and trans people at all different stages of their journey, but I am also eager to support anyone seeking a non-
judgmental safe space for processing and healing.
My passions lie in fostering survival, and engendering self-love, acceptance, and resilience. I support clients experiencing a range of issues, including anxiety, depression, grief, shame, self-doubt, relationship or family stress, and unexpected life transitions.
THERAPEUTIC STYLE
BACKGROUND & TRAINING
Originally from California, I have been making a home in the Hudson Valley for the last few years. I completed a Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at SUNY New Paltz in 2026, during which time I was a clinical intern for Live Your Truth.
I have a prior PhD in gender and sexuality studies, with specializations in intersectional feminist, queer, trans and psychoanalytic theories. This earlier training informs my current psychodynamic approach. Additionally, I have an extensive history of working with queer and trans people in the educational and nonprofit sectors.
RELATED HOBBIES & INTERESTS
PHILOSOPHY
Surviving and thriving in a world that is set up to see us fail is a radical act. But simply coping when everything feels overwhelming can be an incredibly formidable task. Seeking out support, understanding, and care enables us to get through the difficult
times. Incredible change can happen when you begin to imagine new possibilities for yourself and your relationships.
I believe that all people live extraordinarily complex lives, and that with the right support we can cultivate the resilience and tools to get us through even the most onerous circumstances. Therapy is a space where you can develop these skills while being your
most honest self. It can help you figure out what it is that you need, both from yourself and from others.
As a relative newcomer to the Hudson Valley, I am growing into this place by exploring all the small back roads, wide open spaces, bodies of water, and hiking trails that this gorgeous region has to offer.
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When I’m not on my bike, I am connecting with my local community, or curled up on the
couch reading contemporary queer fiction and science fiction – anything and everything
time travel related.
My style is relational and attentive. Drawing on a psychodynamic approach, I balance present-focused work with thoughtful exploration of my clients' histories. Together, we deepen their understanding of themselves and the world around them through a space that is honest, non-judgmental, and reflective. With every client, I aim to cultivate a sense of openness and curiosity. I believe that genuine insight into our inner lives and circumstances, paired with self-compassion and radical acceptance, creates the conditions for real flourishing.
Working with people in relationships, I use an attachment approach, helping all people involved truly see and be seen by each other. I work to establish a shared awareness of how people’s histories can inform how they show up in their current relationships. I will
help you identify patterns of behavior and sticking points within your relationships, and I will work with you to practice new ways of relating to each other. I support clients in developing a healthy relational language so that they can better communicate their
needs.
COMMON CHALLENGES I SUPPORT
Clients often come to me when the challenges they face feel too heavy to carry alone. This may mean navigating relationships where they feel stuck or unsupported, or simply recognizing that something isn't working. I welcome clients in open or non-monogamous relationships, as well as those exploring alternative relationship structures. For clients navigating questions of sex, gender, and identity or those seeking to cultivate queer joy and gender euphoria, I strive to offer a space that is both compassionate and informed.
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I have clinical experience working with neurodivergent clients and clients with disabilities. Across all my work, I am attentive to the ways that intersecting layers of stigma and injustice can shape daily life and the broader world we each find ourselves navigating.