Leah Polenske, MA, LPC

My name is Leah Polenske, and I am a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). As a native Oregonian, I happily returned to the Portland area after earning my master’s degree from The Family Institute at Northwestern University in Chicago, IL. I have degree specializations and experience working with adults, children, and adolescents.

During my graduate training, I worked as a research assistant for the Perfectly Imperfect Lab at Northwestern University where I explored the clinical impact of perfectionism and factors that can lead to developing perfectionism later in life. I have also published research in the body image field. I have experience working in outpatient, residential, and private practice settings.

Treatment Philosophy

I value creating a safe space, free from judgement that provides warmth, compassion, and understanding. I utilize an integrative and collaborative approach that is individualized to each client based on their unique needs, diagnoses, lived experiences, and cultural background. I integrate elements of trauma informed cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness, dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), narrative therapy, and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). I also draw from both a relational approach and family systems model. Through these approaches, clients gain strength and tools for healing, self-discovery, and connection to improve their ability to navigate and overcome unhealthy patterns, regulate their emotions, and improve their relationships.

I am trained in the 8 keys model and Health at Every Size (HAES) informed treatment for eating disorders and have experience treating eating disorders at residential and outpatient levels of care.

I provide individual therapy to those who may be experiencing:

  • Anxiety, panic, worries, stress

  • Perfectionism

  • Negative thought patterns

  • Depression

  • Eating Disorders: Anorexia, bulimia, and Binge Eating Disorders

  • Body image concerns

  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder/Trauma

  • Adjustment to life changes

  • Self-esteem, self-worth, and negative self-image

  • Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

  • Child and Adolescent emotional and behavioral challenges

I welcome all races, religions, ages, sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions, abilities, ethnicities, and people without judgment.

Education

Carroll College: Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, 2017

Northwestern University, The Family Institute: Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, 2019

Oregon License Number: #C6921

Leah Henningsen, LPC

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers