Transformation and liberation are my work in the world. As a survivor, storyteller, facilitator, and advocate, I've devoted decades of study and professional experience to supporting people and groups to develop the skills to create change in their lives, organizations and communities. 

Here are some ways we can work together:

Writing Coaching. It is among my greatest joys to work with writers--particularly those writing about mental health, madness, and disability, as well as spiritual topics. As a coach I seek to uplift you as a writer and to support you to achieve your literary dreams. I'm also here to help on tricky elements on content and craft, and can assist with moral and practical support as you navigate the process of publication.

Speaking. I give talks nationally on trauma, suicide prevention, liberation, and of course, the vital importance of our stories.

I've worked with diverse communities and organizations, including: Colleges and universities, mental health programs, suicide prevention coalitions, HIV care organizations, social service providers, peer-run organizations, and faith-based communities, among others. 

Facilitation. I also facilitate group trainings and workshops to help support you and your organization to build more capacity to do your essential work navigating trauma, overcoming internalized oppression, and promoting liberation in your communities.

My talks and workshops are designed to build our personal, organizational, and collective capacities to implement sustainable, trauma-informed, and just cultures of care;

To authentically self-express and facilitate change as professionals and community members;

To improve our abilities to be in relationship and communicate with each other; and

To enhance our mind-body skills for nervous system support.

I also support people and organizations to craft stories that raise awareness and advance justice and equity.

Within organizations, these workshops can help you to better support your community and also to create a more empowering, skilled and empathetic culture amongst team members.

A selection of talks, workshops, and trainings I offer:

• Mental health and suicide prevention through a social justice and harm reduction lens
• Trauma-responsive strategies for social service agencies and community-based organizations
• Centering lived experience narratives and perspectives to create connection and make change
• Trauma-informed and healing-centered approaches for responding to emotional distress 
• Preventing burnout through creating just and inclusive organizational cultures
• Storytelling tools for personal liberation and social change
• Speakers’ bureau support for community advocates and change-makers

I believe that organizations are much like people,
with their own unique cultures, histories, strengths, and challenges.

This is why I always work closely with your organization to create a custom talk, workshop, or training that will best meet the needs of your community.

If you'd like to talk about how I can support your work, please click below!

Testimonials

"Leah was wonderful to work with. They were willing to tailor the training to our audience of 200 community professionals, counselors, social workers, teachers, and tribal leaders who attended the event. The feedback was that the information was extremely relevant to their practice and that Leah made them so much more aware of the impacts of trauma. The only criticism of the training was that we should have had them here longer! I am so pleased to have been able to work with Leah, and I highly recommend their presentation for human service professionals."

--Camille Sun Vega, Suicide Prevention Coordinator
Truckee Meadows Community College, Reno NV

"Leah shares a message that many miss when reviewing how to move forward in our treatment of mental health care, and that is the social justice aspect. They incorporate the importance of storytelling, and provide tangible ways for individuals to make change. Leah approaches the topic of mental health through trauma and its deleterious effects. This approach is relatable to many because trauma is something we have all experienced."

--Liz T., student organizer, Gustavus Agustus University

"Leah combines breadth and depth of knowledge on trauma with powerful storytelling."

--Timothy Kelly
University of Iowa Instructor, Trauma Across the Lifespan

Thank you for coming to see us at Red Rocks Community College. I really enjoyed both your presentation and the workshop that followed. I know my students gained a lot from hearing you speak. In fact, I’ve already had a couple of students tell me how much your words meant to them. As a writing instructor, what I liked most was your ability to embody the power of storytelling and epitomize exactly how telling one’s own narrative can impact both the writer and the audience. In the days that followed many of my students came to class with more comments and questions about the things you discussed. I’m sure I speak for all faculty and students alike when I say that we hope you will come back for another visit soon. You are doing such important work.

-Kyle Whitecotton, English Faculty, Red Rocks Community College