About Leila Zwelling, LCSW PMH-C
Before I became a therapist, I worked as a journalist, drawn to the power of people’s stories. But over time, I realized I didn’t just want to hear those stories. I wanted to help others heal, grow, and reshape their lives in the midst of struggle and uncertainty. That eventually led me to the work I do now: supporting women as they face some of the most intimate and often unspoken struggles of their lives.
As a licensed psychotherapist, clinical social worker, and certified perinatal mental health provider, I have more than 20 years of experience in women’s mental health. My practice centers on women during the reproductive years and beyond—including fertility struggles, pregnancy loss, single & childlessness not by choice, LGBTQ+ family-building, and pregnancy & postpartum after loss. I also work with women throughout the lifespan managing depression, anxiety, trauma, health challenges, and relationship issues.
My approach is trauma-informed and rooted in attachment theory. I integrate evidence-based therapy models—including Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)—while creating space to explore how past experiences, early relationships, and deep-seated patterns may be influencing your present. I honor the complexity of each person’s story, shaped not only by personal history but also by cultural messages, relational dynamics, and the systems we move through.
In addition to my years of clinical experience and training, I also understand firsthand how hard it can be when the family-building process doesn’t go as expected, and that even after challenging detours, it’s possible to find joy and meaning on the other side.
If you’d like to learn more about my credentials and experience, you’ll find the details below. But most importantly, what I want you to know is that you don’t have to do this alone.
Licensure, Certification & Awards
-
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW23935)
California Board of Behavioral Sciences
-
Certified IPT Trainer & Supervisor
International Society for Interpersonal Psychotherapy
-
Certified Perinatal Mental Health Therapist
Postpartum Support International
-
Excellence in Teaching Award
UCSF Haile T. Debas Academy of Medical Educators
-
Top Ten Faculty Educator
UCSF Psychiatry Residency Training Program
Professional Experience
-
Director
Women’s Mental Health Program, San Francisco Veterans Affairs (SFVA) Medical Center
-
National Trainer & Subject Matter Expert
IPT Training Program, Veterans Health Administration
-
Psychotherapist
Women’s Mental Health, SFVA Medical Center
PTSD Clinical Team, SFVA Medical Center
IPT Training Program, Veterans Health Administration
UCSF Infant-Parent Psychotherapy Training Program
UCSF Citywide, SF General Hospital & Trauma Center
Women’s Wellness Psychiatry
-
PTSD Research Therapist
Prolonged Exposure therapist for Veterans Health Administration Study CSP 591: Comparative Effectiveness Research in Veterans with PTSD, a randomized clinical trial comparing Prolonged Exposure & Cognitive Processing Therapy
Education & Academic Affiliations
-
Associate Clinical Professor
University of California, San Francisco
-
Social Work Master's Degree
San Francisco State University
-
Bachelor's Degree
University of Virginia
Selected Publications
-
Croswell, K., Zwelling, L., Clougherty, K., Hinrichsen, G. (2018). VHA Interpersonal Psychotherapy for Depression (IPT-D) Interactive Training. Washington D.C.: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
-
Tong, H., Zwelling, L., Doughan, J. (2017). Interpersonal Psychotherapy in Practice: Working with Depressed Adults in L.E. Beutler, A.J. Consoli & B. Bongar (Eds), Comprehensive Textbook of Psychotherapy (2nd Ed.), Oxford University Press.
-
Delany-Brumsey, A., Campbell, K., Ratner, J., Baughn, D., Zwelling, L., Hasser, C. (2013). Utilization of Integrated Behavioral Health Services at the San Francisco VA Medical Center Women's Clinic. Poster for VA Psychology Leadership Conference, San Antonio, TX.
-
Zwelling, L., Roney, S., Morguelan, A. (2004). Availability of Services for Families of LGBT Youth. San Francisco State University: Family Acceptance Project.
