Leigh Hunter, MSW

More About Me

Hello! My name is Leigh Hunter, and my pronouns are she/they. I come to the world of psychotherapy with a genuine interest in relational healing and connection. Everything we do centres around relationships. The relationship we hold to self, to one another, or to the environment in which we live, work and play. I am passionate about understanding relational dynamics and facilitating growth. It is both an honour and privilege to stand beside individuals on their journey.

I provide individual psychotherapy to those facing the natural, and often, overwhelming complexities of life. Whether it involves interpersonal challenges with friends, family, or work; struggling to set boundaries for yourself or your relationship(s); managing new onset or recurring mental health symptoms such as anxiety or depression; questioning your relationship to substances; coping with unexpected loss and change; growing through trauma; or struggling to find peace in yourself and your identity - every single part of you is welcome in the therapy room.

I spent my early years as a critical social worker in community mental health providing support and counselling for people experiencing some of their most difficult, messy, and raw challenges. During this time, I discovered the healing power of community and connection. Seeing others grow after trauma inspired me to support people in a new way, and I am drawn to this work because of my own personal experiences with grief, loss, mental health and challenges in relationships. Over the last nine years, I have both trained in and practiced from modalities that are trauma-informed, anti-oppressive and person-centred. I have helped individuals navigate emotional distress, work through the impact of stigma, find community and evoke self-transformation. 

When working with me, I want you to know that I see you as a person who is capable and that I am always in your corner, rooting for you. I believe that you are the driver, and I am the passenger with the map - guiding you through the twists and turns that life presents. I am highly skilled at empathetic-boundaries, and provide hard truths when necessary. It’s something that previous clients have come to appreciate as a cornerstone to our work.  

I practice from an integrated approach that incorporates various modalities, such as dialectical behavioural therapy (DBT), internal family systems (IFS), cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), mindfulness, narrative therapy and motivational interviewing. As a queer person, I am deeply informed by queer theory, existentialism, lived experience and strengths-based approaches. 

Outside of therapy, you can find me as a student of life, constantly seeking to grow and evolve in any way that I can. I love a cozy, rainy day, snuggled up with a book and a warm cup of coffee. I also love a warm, sunny day out on the lake with a paddle board. I write prose to keep me sane and find balance within my furbabies. I love when clients share their recommendations and insights, so never hesitate to let me know what is on your brain.

Therapy isn’t forever. My goal is to empower you to find yourself, experience your emotions, and grow through what you go through. I am mindful that our time together is finite, and work skillfully to make every session matter. If this resonates with you, feel free to reach out for a complimentary consultation.