my name is
Leia Friedwoman
I share my gifts with the world as a teacher, therapist, coach and consultant.
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I call myself a connectress because I love to connect the dots, whether that be people, organizations, ideas, dreams or patterns.
My curiosity about consciousness has inspired me to explore inner and outer worlds.
I grew up close to nature, surrounded by trees, gardens and wildlife alongside the Merrimack River on unceded Pawtucket land, colonially known as Tyngsborough, Massachusetts.
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I earned my B.A. in Psychology, with a minor in Arabic and Writing, from UMASS Lowell. In 2013, I completed a Master’s of Science in Clinical Psychology at Rivier University.
I never quite felt that the discipline of psychology was reflective of me. Being raised in a multicultural family, I have always been deeply curious about the world, and had the privilege to travel a lot in my teens and twenties. When psychedelics came into my life at age 24, I began traversing inner realms, with great awe.
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I grew up in the generation indoctrinated with the rhetoric of D.A.R.E., and never had any role models who saw plants and drugs as teachers and medicines. This is one of many reasons why I am honored to companion individuals as they explore their own relationship to entheogenic plants/fungi and altered states of consciousness.
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I have over a decade of experience offering coaching, consultation and mentorship. My practice has evolved over the years, as have I. When I began doing this work, my hope was that psychedelics could wake up the world to recognize the unjust systems many of us are entangled in, and inspire us to heal ourselves, our communities, and our relationship to the earth.
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While I still hold this vision, my stance is more complex and nuanced. I believe that psychedelics are one tool toward the holistic, liberatory revolution that I dream of for this world. Consciousness expanding plants, fungi and human-made molecules offer so much to promote the body's innate healing capacity and intelligence. I have witnessed journey work help people (myself included) see what they need to see, process emotions, heal, learn, remember, change, connect, and let go of what is ready to be released, making room for more love and harmony within and outside of the self. These tools are amazing for supporting individuals, couples, families and communities.
I have also seen psychedelics be used in a way that perpetuates delusion, entitlement and the potential for harm in myriad ways. I have seen people turn to psychedelics as a magic bullet and way to avoid doing their own personal work and making changes in their day to day life. While increased public awareness of the healing power of psychedelics has many benefits, the commodification of these medicines for capitalist gain is deeply unsettling to me.
I strive to hold this nuance, and practice discernment and curiosity. Although I don't have any more answers than when I started, I do believe I have better questions. I have expanded my skillset over the years and explored new lenses for understanding and working with the human experience. You can read about my credentials and training here.
My present focus with clients is holistic, emphasizing personal awareness and integrity in how we engage with all of our relationships, including the body, ourselves, other humans, and sacred nature.
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I promote decriminalization measures and efforts to keep psychedelic medicine accessible to all who need it, as well as mutual aid and solidarity with indigenous peoples across the globe. I enjoy writing about phenomena relating to social and environmental justice, relationships, consciousness and the psychedelic experience. I feel that it is my calling to work with other humans, to help them develop the capacity to be with themselves, to be with their pain, and to be in relationship with others in courageous and nourishing ways.
“The truth is, no one of us can be free until everybody is free.” - Maya Angelou
For more of a deep dive into my bio, including the time between grad school and my current practice, please visit my podcast​ website.