Hi, I’m Victoria! (she/they)
I am a lived-experience therapist and specialize in the intersection of eating disorders and religious trauma. I am passionate about offering a brave and non-judgmental space for folks as they explore their stories, reflect, reclaim agency over their lives, and implement strategies that align with their unique strengths and goals. I believe that you are the expert on your life and story and folks who work with me will likely hear me inviting them to trust themselves more deeply.
I offer online individual therapy throughout California for adults as well as teens on a case-by-case basis.
Get To Know Me!
I am a queer, dynamically disabled, and neurodivergent human using my lived experience with eating disorder recovery and religious trauma healing to help guide my work with clients. I believe that we heal in relationships so it’s so important to me to be able to show up authentically. I am an abolitionist and work from a decarceral framework and social justice lens because therapy is inherently political.
I’m married to my lovely wife and we have two dogs—a goofy goldendoodle named Oliver (pictured here) and a cuddly little white pup named Herman. I’ve got a whole range of hobbies from making art to exploring libraries and coffee shops to reading and jamming out to Taylor Swift.
You can find me on Instagram @victoriarleon
What’s therapy like with me?
My therapy style is rooted in relational and psychodynamic principles because I believe in the transformative power of relationships and work collaboratively with my clients to understand their experiences.
I welcome the unique ways folks show up in the space.
I also weave in art and skill-building techniques such as RO-DBT, DBT, and ACT if/when it fits and utilize harm reduction techniques to promote a balanced and sustainable path towards growth and resilience.
I prioritize consent in treatment and will always offer space for clients to opt-in to all aspects of our work together rather than mandating what care looks like or forcing my ideas on folks.
I believe in helping folks listen to their inner knowing and learning to trust themselves more deeply. I also believe in the power of imagining for ourselves what the life we want looks like and working together towards that goal. A recovery that we define and create for ourselves is perhaps the most healing, liberating, and sustainable sort of recovery and I work as a comrade towards that goal.
You can trust yourself.
Professional Background
Clinical settings:
Monarch Rising Therapy (where I’m at now!)
Reclamation Collective (religious trauma support groups)
Revolutionary Eating Disorder Psychotherapy and Consultation
Montecatini Eating Disorder Treatment Center (residential, php, iop)
Lifeline Community Services (community mental health)
Telecare (severe and persistent mental health care)
Non-clinical settings:
Teaching elementary and middle school students
Supportiv (peer support moderator)
Education:
Master of Social Work from the University of Southern California
B.A. Liberal Studies, Elementary Education from Biola University
Recent trainings attended:
BIPOC Eating Disorders Conference
Rethinking Mental Health from IDHA
Radical Mental Health First Aid Intensive with Oumou
Reclamation as a Clinical Intervention from the Reclamation Collective
Spiritual Abuse Recognition and Recovery from the Reclamation Collective
Ethics in the Co-Creation of the Therapeutic Container from the Reclamation Collective
Religious Trauma, Christian Patriarchy & Eating Disorders: 2 Part Series from Nalgona Positivity Pride
Eating Disorder Harm Reduction from Nalgona Positivity Pride
Disordered Eating: Somatic, Self-Compassion, and Mindfulness Interventions for Lasting Recovery
Binge Eating Disorder: Clinical Interventions to Treat Underlying Trauma, Body Shame, and the Diet/Binge Cycle
Is Exercise Recommended for Eating Disorder Recovery?: A Discussion
Nourishing the Soul: Exploring the mind-body-spirit connection in Eating Disorder Recovery
Implementing Harm Reduction
Addictive Behaviors as Self-Preservation
Developing a Supportive Culture for LGBTQ Survivors of Abuse
Affirming and Celebratory Transgender Care