Elisa LEYVA, MA

STAFF PSYCHOTHERAPIST

Elisa is a bilingual psychotherapist with over 10 years of clinical experience in Mexico and Chicago, working with adults, teens, and their families to recover from depression, anxiety, and trauma. She provides evidence based therapy to diverse clients in both English and Spanish. Elisa’s clinical specialties include stress related to migration issues, anxiety, mood disorders, trauma, family issues, relationship concerns, life transitions, work and academic stress. Elisa is dedicated to supporting Hispanic clients navigate adaptation, intergenerational experiences, and cultural identity.

Elisa is an experienced therapist with a master’s degree in Psychological Counseling from Universidad Iberoamericana in Mexico City. Elisa received clinical training in both community and hospital settings. As a psychotherapist in private practice in Mexico City she worked with teens and adults to better understand themselves, their experiences and to improve their well-being. Elisa is a life long learner committed to advancing the science and practice of therapy. To that end, she is pursuing a PH.D. in Social Work at Loyola University Chicago.

Elisa’s research interests include acculturation experiences for cultural, ethnic, sexual, and religious minorities as well as the experience of women in society. As an undergraduate she helped to organize a conference - Women’s Role within a Human Rights Framework. As a masters student her thesis project examined acculturation issues and identity development in the Jewish Mexican community. In Mexico she volunteered with numerous projects promoting social justice and psychological well-being.

Education

Masters in Psychological Counseling - Universidad Iberoamericana

Ph.D. in Social Work (in progress) - Loyola University Chicago

Previous Professional Positions

Staff Clinician at Pilsen Wellness Center - Washington, DC

Private Practice - Mexico City, MX

Previous Counseling Training Positions

Hospital Dalinde - Mexico City

Student Center at Universidad Iberoamericana, Chicago, IL

Hospital General de la Ciudad de Mexico

Hospital Juarez

Hospital Psiquiatrico Fray Bernardino de Alvarez

Instituto Nacional de Pediatria (National Institute of Pediatrics)