Leanette Pokuwaah

Locations: Virtual Illinois, In-Office Chicago

Pronouns: She / Her / Hers

Self Compassion, Communal Care & Connection

You might feel alone, unsure, or overwhelmed, especially in this uncertain time during this pandemic. If you are queer, you’re a person of color, or both you may find an especially looming hurdle to find representation in your search to address past trauma and future growth within the umbrella of healthcare. Do you experience the desire to find ways to heal, craving new ways to care for yourself, but simultaneously find it hard to connect with others or lean on anyone else for support? You might have this fear of not even knowing where to start. Even if you simply want to gain greater knowledge of who you are or establish a deeper sense of your identity a therapeutic relationship is a truly transformative space. In therapy we will utilize a communal path toward healing, and it is an open/available/accessible space for you to begin this self work.

Our approach is centered around self-compassion and deep embodiment practices, especially when we address feeling alone, anxious, or depressed. When we meet, we use mindfulness, contemplation, and other centering practices to help us navigate toward your overall greater sense of self-acceptance, balance, calm and inner connectedness, which is essential to all our work. We will also use personality systems such as the Enneagram, a potent tool for self-discovery. As a co-collaborator in your journey toward growth and healing, I’ll compassionately communicate with you and directly share helpful practices if you’re hoping for a more hands-on and tangible approach.

My passion for creating healing and contemplative spaces for queer folks of color in an inclusive faith community initially brought me to this work. With my experience working in an LGBTQ inclusive Christian campus ministry for almost a decade, I was honored to walk along with students processing through religious trauma, coming-out, family conflict, and school. I loved every day that I had the chance to cultivate this unique place of safety, ease, community and care for those who are often inundated with false messages that say they are unwelcome, unaccepted or loved. So much of what I needed, and those queer students needed to hear was that you belong. Free to be who we are. Free from fear. Knowing you are loved because of who you are.

If you are ready and resonate with me and my work, please reach out! I know seeking help can be nerve-racking and overwhelming. The self-awareness healing journey is an even more challenging prospect so take all you need. I want to stress how much this therapeutic space is a safe home for queer, trans people of color searching for someone passionate about trauma and anti-oppression healing work. You are welcome here. I want you to feel fully seen and known. You can show up as your whole self because your story and voice matter. You matter.