Leigh Richards
PhD, LMHC-D, LPC
Leigh is the founder of Applied Counseling Group. She works with adults, children, and parents facing anxiety, OCD, ARFID, ADHD, emotion regulation, and related emotional or behavioral challenges. She also works with parents, spouses, and family members whose own lives are affected by living with someone who is struggling.
Leigh's approach is active, practical, and collaborative. She uses evidence-based treatments when appropriate while tailoring the work to the individual and the problem in front of her. Her focus is not only on understanding what's happening, but on identifying what can change, developing practical strategies, and adjusting the approach based on what actually works.
Leigh holds a PhD and a Master's in Mental Health Counseling and received clinical training at the Anxiety Institute. Her clinical work has included anxiety, OCD, ARFID/selective eating, ADHD, parent-based treatment, and the impact that emotional, behavioral, and developmental challenges can have on the entire family. Her doctoral research examined the relationship between parents' emotion regulation, parenting behavior, and parenting stress.
Before becoming a clinician, Leigh built a career in financial technology and organization design. She holds a Master's in Organizational Psychology from Columbia University, where she also trained as a certified coach. Her experience as an executive coach continues to shape how she works: strategically, collaboratively, and with an orientation toward action.
The practice is based in Westchester County, New York, and Leigh is licensed to serve clients across New York, Connecticut, and Florida via telehealth.