Welcome!
I’m Dr. Keren Lehavot (she/her)
I’m a therapist in Seattle offering online therapy throught WA state.
I'm passionate about helping women and those in the LGBTQ+ community connect with their strength and build joy in their life.
I love working with goal-oriented professionals and moms who feel stuck with work, parenting, work-life balance, burnout, and relationships, and folks in the LGBTQ+ community who are managing stress related to their identities.
How I got here
As a young person, I struggled with the process of coming out, rejection and discrimination, and the turmoil of self-loathing.
Many years later, even with a solid sense of self and healthy self-esteem, I was knocked off my feet with the overwhelming challenge of being a working mom: balancing being a professional in academic medicine and raising a young child during and post COVID. I was drowning in the juggling act.
Facing my most painful adverse experiences taught me something incredibly valuable: an opportunity for growth was around the corner
My pain indicated a longing for significant change, and I just needed the tools, support, and space to get there.
The therapeutic skills I learned through becoming a psychologist taught me what it means to own my power – especially in a world where it might be minimized – to embrace parts of myself I was harsh toward, and to balance the act of accepting what I must while striving for change.
Beyond that, my lived experiences as a working parent showed me that the answer wasn’t to become a master at juggling all the balls. Rather, it was about clarifying my values and aligning my actions with choices that would benefit me and ultimately my family.
My work as a therapist
I view therapy as a brave space to walk alongside you as you make transformative change in your life. I acknowledge the forces in society that are outside of your control yet embrace the power of the individual.
I aim to help you so you can become the best version of yourself and lead the life you have always wanted.
Credentials
I have been trained in a variety of evidence-based modalities, including cognitive-behavioral therapy and behavioral activation. I am an active and collaborative therapist, and in therapy you can expect that I will ask you compelling questions, collaborate with you to create achievable goals, and provide a warm, safe, and authentic space to arrive at new insights, build skills, and make change.
LICENSURE
2012, Licensed Psychologist, #PY60278665, State of Washington
EDUCATION & TRAINING
2011-2013, Postdoctoral Fellowship, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA
2010-2011, Clinical Internship, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA
2005-2011, PhD, Clinical Psychology, University of Washington
2001-2005, BS, Washington University in St. Louis
PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND
In my prior work, I served as a Clinical Psychologist at VA Puget Sound Health Care System and an Associate Professor at the University of Washington.
In addition to seeing clients, I was responsible for a research program focused on health disparities for culturally diverse populations and LGBTQ+ mental health. I obtained research funding from the National Institutes of Health, the VA, and the Centers for Disease Control and published over 100 peer-reviewed publications and book chapters on topics such as the impact of minority stress on mental health, the intersection of multiple identities, and resilience and coping.
I integrate and bring my knowledge of the research literature to my clinical practice, to ensure that you are benefiting from the most up-to-date information. My commitment to reducing health disparities for diverse populations and promoting inclusive and affirming care has driven my professional work.
