Therapist Dr. Leia Twigg-Smith Photo

Dr. Leia Twigg-Smith, Psychologist

Stress, Anxiety Relationship issues Trauma and abuse Depression Coping with life changes
Video Phone Messaging

About me

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, Anxiety Relationship issues Trauma and abuse Depression Coping 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

Clinical approaches: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Attachment-Based Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT), Motivational Interviewing, Psychodynamic Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Trauma-Focused Therapy

Services offered

Video
Phone
Messaging

License information

MN Psychologist LP6822

Reviews

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.

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 one of the most impressive, empathetic and impactful therapists I've ever worked with. She's a fantastic listener and is extremely supportive and insightful. She is excellent at keeping me accountable and checking in on my progress. Doing the work is tough and having someone encouraging and experienced like Dr T has made doing the healing work easier, more effective and more structured. Since working with her, I feel like I've been becoming more self aware of my own red-flag behaviour and I have been supported well in trying to work on that behaviour.
Dr T has also been extremely sensitive and compassionate while helping me resolve parts of my past and childhood trauma, while being able to stay objective so she can actually help me effectively.

Written on Aug 14, 2023 after therapy with Leia for 2 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 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