by | Oct 23, 2020 | Uncategorized

About Leigh

Leigh Witzling, MA (they/them)

 

I am a psychotherapist working with teens and adults on unceded Abenaki territory, also called Southern Vermont. I am a white, queer, nonbinary, chronically ill, Ashkenazi Jew who loves poetry, dancing, and the color yellow. Originally from the midwest, I have found great joy in building a life in rural New England with my dog Louie, who is often sitting at my feet during telehealth sessions. After eight years working with high school and college students in residential life, I am thrilled to continue working with young people in a private practice setting.

Lineage

I come from an ancestral web of Eastern European Jews and Western European colonizers, some whom were stolen from, or were stolen themselves, and many who stole from others. I am called to healing work by the desire to be in right relationship with the land and the people around me, given the complex multitude of lineages I carry with me. I am called to reclaim identities that were stolen from my ancestors, pay reparations for the land and humanity my ancestors stole, and move forward with a sharing-based framework.

Education

ACADEMIC

I received my BA in Dance/movement Therapy from Knox College in 2014 and my MA in Dance/Movement Therapy and Counseling in 2018. I am also a Registered Dance/Movement Therapist (R-DMT).

INDIVIDUAL

I am humbled by my direct healers, teachers, and mentors, especially Jennifer Smith, Kim Burden, Jo Kent Katz, and Jessica Taylor.

COMMUNAL

I draw from teachings by organizations including TRACC4Movements, Sins Invalid, Health Justice Commons, Generative Somatics, Earthdance, and Fireweed Collective.