With over 10 years of experience in the mental health industry, Leo has a history of helping people overcome their unique psychological challenges. He has tutored kids at different ages as part of an after-school program, helped adults overcome addiction as part of a residential recovery center, and roughly 5 years ago, he began working with the San Francisco Center for Compassion Focused Therapy (SFCompassion) to help support those diagnosed with Hoarding Disorder as part of their Better Treatment for Hoarding program.

At SFCompassion, Leo was mentored and trained by Dr. Chia-Ying Chou, who created the “Compassion Focused Protocol for Hoarding”. Since then, Leo and his colleagues have conducted and published several research projects to improve our understanding of hoarding behavior. Through SFCompassion, Leo has also worked with individuals, families, couples, and still hosts support groups for those looking to “Create Space”. Leo has also spoken at events such as the Association for Contextual Behavioral Science (ACBS) World Conference and the International OCD Foundation’s annual conference (IOCDF) to help reduce the stigma around Hoarding Disorder and promote practical solutions to managing our belongings.

Leo holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychological Science from California State University - San Marcos. His approach to consulting is heavily influenced by his background and training in Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and other therapeutic modalities. However, Leo is not a licensed healthcare professional, which means his consultations are not reimbursable through traditional HMO health insurance. That said, Darpana is committed to providing easily accessible support for anyone with difficulty discarding possessions. For questions regarding discounted services, sliding scale fees, and all other inquiries, feel free to contact us: support@darpana.info