Leigh Wakeford - Shame Resilience Specialist

Marriage & Family Therapist Associate, MA, BFA, AMFT (he, him)

Verified by Psychology Today Verified by Psychology Today

5 Endorsed

4221 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 320, Los Angeles, CA 90010

Photo of Leigh Wakeford - Shame Resilience Specialist, MA, BFA, AMFT, Marriage & Family Therapist Associate

Calling all over-thinkers, perfectionists & people pleasers! If you feel bound by the shameful “shoulds” that keep you stuck in cycles of problematic patterns, bad habits, unfulfilled relationships & addictive behaviors - I see you. As a gay man and US immigrant, I have lived the “othering” that comes from not belonging to the dominant norms and culture; and I recognize the deep sense of isolating loneliness that follows rejection, harsh judgment & low self-esteem. A recovering perfectionist myself, I get it. I am here to help. Living our lives for others is exhausting. When will enough be enough? When will YOU be enough?

My 20+ years of experience as a yoga, movement & meditation teacher has confirmed my belief that the human body has the innate ability to heal itself. You too have access to this infinite inner wisdom, but it requires cultivating a deep sense of compassion, a relentless childlike curiosity and engaging in playful practice to uncover and activate it.

I invite you to bring ALL of you into the room - your quirks, your kinks, your dreams & demons - to playfully interact with one another while we carve out a unique path to realizing the most authentic version of YOU. I humbly look forward to guiding you on this perfectly imperfect journey & thank you for trusting me. Ready when you are.

Call or Email Leigh Wakeford - Shame Resilience Specialist now for a free 15 minute consultation - (213) 510-3230

My Practice at a Glance

Available both in-person and online

Therapy UnScripted

4221 Wilshire Boulevard

Suite 320

Los Angeles, CA 90010

(213) 510-3230

Therapy UnScripted

489 Castro Street

San Francisco, CA 94114

I offer in-person therapy sessions in mid-city/West LA, or online via Telehealth. Looking forward to finding a time that suits us best!

I specialize in Shame/Self-Esteem, LGBTQ+ and Consensual Non-monogamy/Poly Relationships

$180 Per Session

I see individuals, couples and families

This is me! I would love for us to get to know YOU. Call, email or text when you feel ready to do the work to build the life you deserve.

Leigh Wakeford - Shame Resilience Specialist

Let's Connect (213) 510-3230

My Practice at a Glance

Available both in-person and online

Therapy UnScripted

4221 Wilshire Boulevard

Suite 320

Los Angeles, CA 90010

(213) 510-3230

Therapy UnScripted

489 Castro Street

San Francisco, CA 94114

I offer in-person therapy sessions in mid-city/West LA, or online via Telehealth. Looking forward to finding a time that suits us best!

I specialize in Shame/Self-Esteem, LGBTQ+ and Consensual Non-monogamy/Poly Relationships

$180 Per Session

I see individuals, couples and families

This is me! I would love for us to get to know YOU. Call, email or text when you feel ready to do the work to build the life you deserve.

Finances

Fees

Individual Sessions $180
Couple Sessions $220
Sliding scale: apply if you may be eligible
Pay by American Express, Check, Discover, Health Savings Account, Mastercard, Visa

I am able to provide a superbill for you to submit to your insurance for your reimbursement, should your plan allow.

Call or Email me for a free 15 minute consultation now - (213) 510-3230

Leigh Wakeford - Shame Resilience Specialist

Marriage & Family Therapist Associate, MA, BFA, AMFT

I am able to provide a superbill for you to submit to your insurance for your reimbursement, should your plan allow.

Call or Email me for a free 15 minute consultation now - (213) 510-3230

Leigh Wakeford - Shame Resilience Specialist

Marriage & Family Therapist Associate, MA, BFA, AMFT

Qualifications

Verified by Psychology Today Prelicense by State of California / 145295 Supervised by Michael Nalepa (California / 101240) Leigh Wakeford - Shame Resilience Specialist
In Practice for 1 Year
Attended Antioch University Los Angeles, MA, Graduated 2023

I specialize in mindfulness & compassion-based depth psychology, focusing on psychological flexibility & strength-based, value-aligned & client-centered treatment.

Call or Email me for a free 15 minute consultation now - (213) 510-3230

Leigh Wakeford - Shame Resilience Specialist

Marriage & Family Therapist Associate, MA, BFA, AMFT

I specialize in mindfulness & compassion-based depth psychology, focusing on psychological flexibility & strength-based, value-aligned & client-centered treatment.

Call or Email me for a free 15 minute consultation now - (213) 510-3230

Leigh Wakeford - Shame Resilience Specialist

Marriage & Family Therapist Associate, MA, BFA, AMFT

Specialties and Expertise

Top Specialties

Shame/Self-Esteem
LGBTQ+
Consensual Non-monogamy/Poly Relationships

Expertise

Anxiety
Body Positivity
Depression
Grief
Infidelity
Life Coaching
Life Transitions
Men's Issues
Narcissistic Personality (NPD)
Open Relationships Non-Monogamy
Relationship Issues
Self Esteem
Sex Therapy
Sex-Positive, Kink Allied
Spirituality
Stress
Substance Use
Trauma and PTSD

Are you in a straight/bi/queer relational unit/s and curious about navigating Consensual Non-Monogamy (CNM), opening up your current relationship, integrating kink or exploring polyamory? I am deeply passionate about facilitating the challenging conversations that allow for considerate communication between partners in deepening and broadening our human connections.

Call or Email me for a free 15 minute consultation now - (213) 510-3230

Leigh Wakeford - Shame Resilience Specialist

Marriage & Family Therapist Associate, MA, BFA, AMFT

Call or Email me for a free 15 minute consultation now - (213) 510-3230

Leigh Wakeford - Shame Resilience Specialist

Marriage & Family Therapist Associate, MA, BFA, AMFT

5 Endorsements

Erin Hannah Fein

Marriage & Family Therapist Associate, MA, AMFT, BAAS

Leigh is the kind of therapist whose warmth radiates. His ability to listen with his whole heart and reflect honestly accurately allows clients to feel at ease, even in difficult moments, and begin to grow and change quickly.

Prof. Michael Anthony Nalepa - Individual And Couples Specialist

Marriage & Family Therapist, BFA, MA, LMFT, ExecDir

Leigh's demeanor is calming & welcoming, observant & affirming. Whenever I refer to him, clients give the feedback that his way of gently navigating conversations easily brings forward their passions, hopes & dreams. Leigh is truly an excellent question!

Eliza Lu - Teen And Young Adult Specialist

Marriage & Family Therapist Associate, AA, BA, MA, AMFT

Leigh's way of being in the world brings a radiant warmth to any room. This is only amplified in his practice. During sessions, he employs a sense of sincerity that makes his clients feel truly seen and heard.

Philip Champagne

Marriage & Family Therapist Associate, MA, AMFT

Leigh's spiritual approach to therapy brings a dynamic, unique element to his work with clients. Leigh is also a great fit for queer couples!

Kara Sunwell

Marriage & Family Therapist Associate, MA, AMFT

Leigh brings a sense of peacefulness and calm to any room or situation he is in. He listens intently and is always able to see a light in the shadows. He accepts what others may see as taboo with compassion and helps dissolve shame.

Client Focus

Age

Adults

Participants

Individuals ,

Couples ,

Family

Communities

Bisexual Allied ,

Gay Allied ,

HIV / AIDS Allied ,

Intersex Allied ,

Lesbian Allied ,

Non-Binary Allied ,

Queer Allied ,

Racial Justice Allied ,

Sex Worker Allied ,

Transgender Allied

I also speak

Afrikaans

Age

Adults

Participants

Individuals ,

Couples ,

Family

Communities

Bisexual Allied ,

Gay Allied ,

HIV / AIDS Allied ,

Intersex Allied ,

Lesbian Allied ,

Non-Binary Allied ,

Queer Allied ,

Racial Justice Allied ,

Sex Worker Allied ,

Transgender Allied

I also speak

Afrikaans

Treatment Approach

Types of Therapy

Acceptance and Commitment (ACT)
Attachment-based
Compassion Focused
Culturally Sensitive
Integrative
Internal Family Systems (IFS)
Jungian
Mindfulness-Based (MBCT)
Narrative
Neuro-Linguistic (NLP)
Play Therapy
Psychodynamic
Relational
Somatic
Strength-Based

Taking theoretical inspiration from the depth and dream work of Carl Jung, the cognitive-behavioral tenets of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, the essential practice of self-compassion-based mindfulness modalities, and the principles of Attachment theory; we will actively set to work on the things in your life that just don't seem to be working out.

Call or Email me for a free 15 minute consultation now - (213) 510-3230

Leigh Wakeford - Shame Resilience Specialist

Marriage & Family Therapist Associate, MA, BFA, AMFT

Call or Email me for a free 15 minute consultation now - (213) 510-3230

Leigh Wakeford - Shame Resilience Specialist

Marriage & Family Therapist Associate, MA, BFA, AMFT

Location

Primary Location

Therapy UnScripted

4221 Wilshire Boulevard

Suite 320

Los Angeles, CA 90010

(213) 510-3230

Email me

My website

Additional Location

Therapy UnScripted

489 Castro Street

San Francisco, CA 94114

(213) 510-3230

Nearby Areas

Cities

Counties

Zips

Neighborhoods

I offer in-person therapy sessions in mid-city/West LA, or online via Telehealth. Looking forward to finding a time that suits us best!

Call for a free consultation now - (213) 510-3230

Leigh Wakeford - Shame Resilience Specialist

Marriage & Family Therapist Associate, MA, BFA, AMFT

I offer in-person therapy sessions in mid-city/West LA, or online via Telehealth. Looking forward to finding a time that suits us best!

Call for a free consultation now - (213) 510-3230

Leigh Wakeford - Shame Resilience Specialist

Marriage & Family Therapist Associate, MA, BFA, AMFT