Therapist
Jo Leo Béhanzin
Virtual & In-Person Therapy
Hi, my name is Jo Leo. I am a Black, disabled, queer, non-binary transexual person with a background in community building and visual arts.
Abolitionist social work principles guide my focus on collaboration, self-determination, and deep care. I want you to feel a sense of belonging and support throughout our work together. My hope is that we can use our relationship, shared expertise, and strengths towards your goals
I offer support to groups, relationships, and individual adults navigating identity development, relational conflict, serious health challenges, family restructuring, and life and career transitions. I have particular experience working with people who are disabled, neurodivergent, 2SLGBTQIA+, older adults, and people of the global majority. I’m a poly and kink affirmative therapist.
My Approach To Therapy
When collaborating in therapy, I prefer to offer a variety of knowledge sources, including somatic and mindfulness practices, womanist and queer theory, critical disability studies, and European-rooted modalities (e.g. anti-oppressive psychodynamic theory, DBT, narrative therapy, etc.). My general approach is grounded in mutual relationships, ritual, and storytelling, as informed by Afrikan and other indigenous practices. My formal training in family mediation, comprehensive sex ed, supporting older adults, and neurodivergent couples therapy also shape my practice.
Background, Education, & Certifications
New York State Part 146 Trained Family Mediator, New York State Council on Divorce Mediation
Completion of Working with Neurodiverse Couples in Therapy Training, Association for Autism and Neurodiversity
Creator, Sex After 60
Completion of Palliative Care Doula Training, Mt. Sinai
Social Work Fellow, New York City Council
Masters in Social Work, Hunter College School of Social Work
BA in Politics with a minor in Values and Public Life, Princeton University
Getting Started
I offer virtual therapy throughout New York State. I am available for in person sessions on Mondays.
I am in-network with Aetna, New School student health, and NYU student health insurances.
If you’d like to learn more about working together and see if we’re a fit, I invite you to contact me for a free 15-minute consultation.
Jo Leo (LMSW #131557) is under the supervision of Terry LaFrazia (LCSW #073240)