Client Portal
Leah Donahue Lcsw

Leah Donahue, she/her

LCSW
Ages seen
12+
Languages I speak
English
Accepting new clients?
Yes
Location
Old Irving Park, plus virtual across Illinois
SPECIALITIES:
  • Adoption
  • Anxiety
  • CBT
  • Couples
  • DBT
  • EFT
  • ERP
  • Multicultural
  • Neurodivergent
  • OCD
ABOUT ME:

I’m a therapist in Portage Park who works with adults, teens, and couples. Everyone needs help sometimes, and it can be scary to take that first step, so congratulations on taking it. Whether it’s a major life transition or the weight of daily stress, everyone can use a helping hand.

Schedule an Intake Appointment
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“All people at any given moment are doing the best they can.” — Marsha Linehan

At a glance

Best fit for: OCD and ERP, anxiety, trauma, LGBTQ+, adoption, couples, first responders, neurodivergent; teens and adults.

Approaches: CBT, DBT, ERP, EFT.

Who Am I?

Hi! I’m Leah Donahue, a licensed clinical social worker who loves working with adults, teens, and couples. I identify as a cisgender Asian woman. Everyone needs help sometimes, and reaching out is hard, so I want to celebrate you for starting. Whether it’s a major transition or daily overwhelm, I’m here to help.

I specialize in working with:
  • Teens and adolescents
  • College students
  • Adults and couples seeking support with LGBTQ+ identity or relationship struggles
  • People navigating life transitions
  • Anxiety and depressive mood
  • Neurodivergence
  • OCD
  • Trauma
How I help

My approaches include DBT, CBT, ERP (Exposure and Response Prevention), and EFT (Emotionally Focused Therapy). I’m a big believer in getting comfortable with the uncomfortable, which is why I love ERP for anxiety and OCD, and for emotions that feel scary to face. I use EFT to reach the primary emotions underneath, and DBT and CBT to help you spot and shift patterns that aren’t serving you. I understand you’re not defined by the problems you bring in. You’re so much more than that, and I want to highlight your strengths as we work toward your goals.

What a session with me is like

A session with me starts like greeting an old friend. If the mood is right, I’ll be cracking jokes, commenting on your outfit, or asking how your fur baby is doing. Cozy lighting and a comforting atmosphere are my favorite way to make the space feel safe. We’ll go off on goofy tangents sometimes, and we’ll also dig into the topics you’ve been wanting to address but needed a little help getting to.

A little more about me

In my free time I love cooking and trying new restaurants. I love learning about different cultures, especially through food, and I can spend hours at international food markets. I also love traveling and seeing how people live differently than I do.

help-line
A few common questions

Are you accepting new clients?
Yes

Do you offer virtual sessions?
Yes, I see clients virtually across Illinois, and in person at our Portage Park office.

What do you help with most?
OCD and ERP, anxiety, trauma, LGBTQ+ identity, relationships, and life transitions.

What insurance do you take?
BCBS PPO, United Healthcare, Cigna, Northshore HMO, and Aetna.

Quick Facts

Ages seen

12+

Languages I speak

English

Accepting new clients?

Yes

Location

Old Irving Park, plus virtual across Illinois

Watch my video
Insurance Accepted
  • AetnaBCBS PPOCignaEndeavor/Northshore HMOOptum/United
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READY WHEN YOU ARE

Schedule your first appointment. For follow up appointments (existing clients), please contact your therapist at 773-774-4444.

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How I Can Support You

We help individuals grow, heal, and move forward with compassionate care.

A Few Questions Before You Start?

We know reaching out can feel overwhelming. These quick answers can help you.

Q. How do I find the right therapist for me?

Each therapist’s page lists their focus areas, the ages they see, and the insurance they take. You can also call us at 773-774-4444, text 773-677-5002, or email [email protected], and our intake coordinator will help match you with the right therapist.

Urban Wellness is a multispecialty group practice. We bring on therapists who specialize in specific areas, and collectively our team supports the whole lifespan and most presenting concerns, from young children to older adults and from everyday stress to complex trauma.

Yes. All of our therapists offer virtual sessions across Illinois, alongside in-person availability at our four Chicago-area offices.

Yes. As a practice, Urban Wellness accepts BCBS PPO, BCBS HMO (Northshore and Endeavor), Aetna, Cigna/Evernorth, and Optum/UnitedHealthcare. Individual therapists may still be in the process of credentialing or not yet in network with every plan, so check the therapist’s own page or check with our intake department.

Your first session is about getting to know each other. You’ll talk through what brought you in and start shaping goals, at your pace. Your therapist will ask questions that help them understand your past and how it shapes you, your present concerns, and future goals.

Yes. We’re an anti-oppressive, neuro/LGBTQIA+/BIPOC/disability affirming practice, and many of our clinicians hold LGBTQ+, neurodivergent, and multicultural lived experience.