About Leyla Fonseca, LMHC-D 

I support children, teens, parents and young adults navigating anxiety, depression, burnout, relationship and family concerns, self-esteem, and major life transitions. Much of my work focuses on helping clients better understand their emotions and patterns, communicate more effectively, set and maintain boundaries, and develop coping strategies that feel realistic in everyday life. I primarily draw from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and person-centered approaches, with sessions that are supportive, engaged, and responsive to what you need.

I received my Master’s in Mental Health Counseling from Hunter College and spent five years working in specialized New York City schools, including as a Lead Upper School Mental Health Counselor. There, I worked closely with middle and high school students with ADHD, autism, anxiety, depression, PTSD, learning differences, and behavioral challenges. My work often focused on executive functioning, emotional regulation, identity development, friendships and social skills, and helping students navigate the academic and interpersonal demands of school. I also collaborated closely with parents, teachers, and outside providers to help students feel supported across different parts of their lives.

I work with adults navigating relationships, family dynamics, self-esteem, work and academic stress, and periods of transition or uncertainty. I’m particularly interested in how our earlier experiences can shape the way we understand ourselves, respond to emotions, and relate to other people. In therapy, we can identify those patterns while building healthier ways of communicating, coping, and responding to old patterns.

My goal is for you to leave each session with a little more clarity, a little less weight on your shoulders, or simply the experience of having a judgment-free space to explore what’s on your mind. Therapy doesn’t always have to mean solving something right away; sometimes the first step is having the space to understand what you’re feeling and why.

Leyla is bilingual in English and Spanish and can provide therapy in either language.