Lawrence Leung

In sessions, we take time to examine current stressors for depression while also naming how past experiences and relationships may affect us (e.g., messages from past caregivers that we have internalized). I also know that for marginalized people, we often experience the impact of racism, homophobia, capitalism, etc. that can be additionally impactful on our mental health. Together, we can seek to understand how these issues show up and affect your depression along with the steps we can take to manage and resist this.

The most important part of therapy is that you feel safe and comfortable. I strive to provide that experience by following your lead in discussing what you feel ready to work on. I want you to feel you can make choices in your treatment, and am always open to feedback about what is or isn't working. I also aim to be transparent, so you know what to expect.

In psychodynamic therapy, we explore past experiences and relationships and the impact they have on our current day-to-day. An example is when you notice yourself having a bigger reaction to a stressor than you expect, and realizing that old emotions from past similar experiences are being brought up. In therapy, we work to understand those triggers, how they affect your sense of self and relationships with others, and steps we can take to manage things differently.