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I am a licensed psychologist in Minnesota. I have been working with Veterans and first responders for the past five years. Prior to moving to Minnesota in 2019, I was working with active duty military personnel and their dependents. As a master's level mental health professional, I worked in a Level 3 prison for two years. I also worked in community mental health for three years, providing clinical services to Pacific Islanders and Native Hawaiians, and in private practice doing assessments for police department candidates.
In my current practice, as a Health Psychologist, I help clients manage health behaviors such as disordered eating, quitting smoking, vaping, dip, alcohol abuse, exercise habits, and sleep problem. Of course, I also manage mental health problems like stress and anxiety, depression, relationship problems, and some personality disorders. I practice Emotionally Focused Couple's Therapy (EFT), which is an attachment-based approach designed to increase physical and emotional bonds between partners.
Treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion is part of my ethics code. You can expect me to tailor your sessions and treatment planning to meet your unique and specific needs.
The first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life requires insight. It also takes courage to make that first step, and dedication to see the changes through. I am here to support you on your journey to a better you. Let's get started!
Professional experience
9yrs in practice
Stress, AnxietyRelationshipsTrauma, AbuseDepressionCoping with life changes
Additional areas of focus:Addictions, LGBT, Family conflicts, Grief, Intimacy-related issues, Sleeping disorders, Parenting issues, Anger management, Self esteem, Career difficulties, Coaching, Compassion fatigue, Aging and Geriatric Issues, Body image, Cancer, Chronic pain illness and disability, Codependency, Commitment Issues, Communication problems, Coping with Natural or Human-Caused Disaster, Divorce and separation, Drug and Alcohol Addiction, Eating and Food-Related Issues, First Responder Issues, Guilt and shame, Hospice and End of Life Counseling, Infidelity, Jealousy, Midlife crisis, Military and Veterans Issues, Multicultural Concerns, Post-traumatic stress, Process addiction (porn, exercise, gambling), Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), Sexual Assault and Abuse, Smoking/Vaping Cessation, Social anxiety and phobia, Women's issues
These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Dr. Leia Twigg-Smith. We don't pay anyone to provide their review and they are all made voluntarily. Some people's experience receiving therapy with BetterHelp might be different.
She's awesome and she helped me get to the root of the things I'm struggling with
Written on Apr 19, 2024 after therapy with Leia for 1 month on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, anger management, and adhd
Excellent, and insightful
Written on Mar 15, 2024 after therapy with Leia for 10 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, coping with life changes, and coaching
Dr. T has been kind, welcoming, caring, thoughtful, and supportive throughout our journey together. She has helped me with a wide variety of problems and is always happy to spend our sessions talking about whatever is bothering me or of importance to me at that time. Dr. T has provided me with insight regarding a variety of relationship problems and/or concerns, struggles around eating, feelings of depression, and anxiety and struggles related to socializing. I always leave our sessions feeling lighter and more ready to tackle whatever it was I talked through with Dr. T. She provides me with tools to be successful and my life has greatly improved since starting therapy with her. I would recommend Dr. T to anyone looking to start therapy!
Written on Feb 09, 2024 after therapy with Leia for 7 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, intimacy-related issues, eating disorders, sleeping disorders, self esteem, career difficulties, and coping with life changes
Dr. Twigg-Smith tells me when I have been wrong and helps me to understand how and why. She expects me to do it differently and holds me accountable. Reality, truth, and “what are you going to do about it?” Is what I have needed.
Written on Dec 16, 2023 after therapy with Leia for 2 months on issues concerning relationship issues, trauma and abuse, grief, self esteem, and coping with life changes
Dr Twigg-Smith is excellent. I’ve been in therapy for a little while and I’ve found her to be the best therapist I’ve ever worked with. The dynamic she creates is professional but without creating a sense of there being any judgement. She helped me want to show up ready to work and keep working on myself and choosing myself even when circumstances and my own thoughts made me not want to do that. I like her client and solution-focussed approach, which is great and makes working with her empowering and helped me to see I have agency in my life and that changes were possible. She’s a kind and compassionate listener, creating a safe environment where there’s no judgement and I’ve felt able to share things that I never thought I could share. She’s helped me make so much progress and is helping me address issues I never thought I could address.
Written on Dec 13, 2023 after therapy with Leia for 6 months on issues concerning relationship issues, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, eating disorders, self esteem, and coping with life changes
Dr Twigg-Smith is outstanding. She provides phenomenal listening and support, as well as suggestions where indicated
Written on Dec 13, 2023 after therapy with Leia for 11 months on issues concerning depression, relationship issues, family conflicts, and coping with life changes
Dr. Twigg-Smith support has made a significant positive impact on my life. Thank you!
Written on Oct 26, 2023 after therapy with Leia for 10 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, self esteem, and anger management
Dr. Twigg-Smith has been incredible. Her ability to be compassionate and make me feel empowered when we speak is truly a gift. I have been so thankful for her as I work with anxiety and panic attacks.
Written on Oct 03, 2023 after therapy with Leia for 2 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, self esteem, and coping with life changes
Have only had two sessions so far. Noting hete that I super dislike therapy! Dr Twigg-Smith has been a breath of fresh air! I don't feel as much anxiety when talking with her and I feel she truly listens. She has provided great resources as well.
Written on Sep 22, 2023 after therapy with Leia for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, self esteem, and coping with life changes
Dr. Twigg-Smith was great to talk to. She really listened which is what I need and gave feedback that was needed. Thank you so much Dr. Twigg-Smith
Written on Sep 03, 2023 after therapy with Leia for 3 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, parenting issues, self esteem, and career difficulties
Dr Twigg-Smith is a great therapist. I never leave a session that I don't feel like I have tools in my belt to move forward in a positive way in my life. She is compassionate, kind an exceptionally helpful person.
Written on Jul 12, 2023 after therapy with Leia for 4 months on issues concerning relationship issues, family conflicts, and compassion fatigue
Was very helpful in guiding me through my issues.
Written on Jun 13, 2023 after therapy with Leia for 2 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, intimacy-related issues, self esteem, career difficulties, coping with life changes, coaching, and adhd
Dr Twigg-Smith has helped my wife and I see and understand things about one another no one ever could before. In the short time we have worked with her we have made leaps of what had felt like years of issues between us.
Dr. Twigg-Smith has truly helped us become more complete partners for one another.
Written on Jun 12, 2023 after therapy with Leia for 1 month on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, parenting issues, anger management, career difficulties, bipolar disorder, coping with life changes, coaching, compassion fatigue, and adhd
It hasn't been long since I started with Dr. Twigg-Smith, but the differences are already obvious. I have had less than ideal experiences with therapy in the past and betterhelp put me in touch with a therapist who has, in not too many sessions, really helped me when I needed help the most.
Written on Jun 05, 2023 after therapy with Leia for 3 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, grief, self esteem, anger management, career difficulties, and coping with life changes
Dr. Twigg-Smith has been so amazing to work with. She holds me accountable, doesn’t sugarcoat things and still makes me feel valued and heard. One of the best experiences with therapy I’ve ever had. Highly recommend! Thank you!
Written on May 25, 2023 after therapy with Leia for 1 month on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, grief, self esteem, anger management, coping with life changes, and adhd
Dr Twigg-Smith is fantastic! She gives positive feedback and gives criticism. She gives “homework” that is helpful outside of sessions to work with your partner.
Written on Mar 21, 2023 after therapy with Leia for 1 month on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, intimacy-related issues, self esteem, and adhd
Dr. Twigg-Smith is a brilliant mind and has tremendous experience.
Written on Mar 10, 2023 after therapy with Leia for 2 months on issues concerning relationship issues, and compassion fatigue
Dr. Twigg-Smith has been excellent in creating a personalized plan and safe space to discuss life challenges. She takes the time to listen but also is honest and real with conversation. I have benefited greatly from our time together.
Written on Feb 16, 2023 after therapy with Leia for 2 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, family conflicts, parenting issues, compassion fatigue, and adhd
Dr. Twigg-Smith is patient and perceptive. She asks questions that expand my perspective and advance my thinking. She has helped me realize areas I wanted to work on but didn't anticipate and has given me many simple tools that I use daily. Highly recommend working with her!
Written on Feb 14, 2023 after therapy with Leia for 2 months on issues concerning relationship issues, self esteem, anger management, coping with life changes, and coaching
My wife and I have been in a low point in our relationship for a couple of years. After talking with Dr. Twigg-Smith, I am optimistic that resolution is possible. To have a neutral outside look in at why our relationship is on shaky grounds is comforting, and I appreciate her ability to hold us accountable and offer suggestions. I would certainly recommend for couples counseling.
Written on Feb 09, 2023 after therapy with Leia for 2 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, self esteem, coping with life changes, and compassion fatigue
Dr. Leia is helping me work through a difficult personnel issue at work. She has affirmed the validity of several of my concerns, questioned assumptions that were getting in my way, helped me recognize what I am dealing with and provided practical next steps that support productive forward movement. During therapy, I’ve had several realizations of my own that can help me in the future. I felt safe vocalizing for the first time a desire I have to change careers. I highly recommend this therapist.
Written on Feb 09, 2023 after therapy with Leia for 1 month on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, parenting issues, self esteem, anger management, career difficulties, and coping with life changes
Dr. Leia is a great psychologist and therapist. I made great progress while I was with her. She gave me the help I needed to come to terms with difficult personal issues. Since I started working with her I feel have done a lot of healing and feel much more inner peace. She is a lovely person and is easy to talk to! We had great conversations! Thank you so much for all your help Dr.Leia! I'm looking forward to working with you again
Written on Feb 03, 2023 after therapy with Leia for 2 months on issues concerning depression, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, and parenting issues
Dr.Twigg Smith is professional, caring, and knows exactly when to listen and when to offer guidance. Her therapeutic use of self is so comforting and enlightening every session I work with her. I recommend her to anyone who wants a safe place to go through your emotions and needs clarity for their life.
Written on Jan 21, 2023 after therapy with Leia for 1 month on issues concerning relationship issues, intimacy-related issues, and self esteem
Dr twigg smith is an incredible practitioner
Written on Jan 05, 2023 after therapy with Leia for 1 month on issues concerning addictions, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, and coping with life changes
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