Dr. Leora Citrin: A holistic person-centered approach to healing that incorporates mind and body through the disciplines of Integrative EMDR, Clinical Health Psychology & Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Dr. Leora Citrin, Psy.D., specializes in treating trauma, complex PTSD, anxiety, ADHD, depression, sexual abuse, sexual difficulties, and the psychological factors related to acute and chronic medical conditions. She is passionate about helping individuals navigate the emotional and behavioral challenges that impact their health and well-being. A key component of Dr. Citrin’s therapeutic approach is her expertise in EMDR, which she integrates with other evidence-based modalities to address trauma on emotional, cognitive, and somatic levels. While EMDR is central to her practice, Dr. Citrin skillfully integrates elements of Psychodynamic Therapy, Humanistic Psychology, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) into her culturally sensitive, trauma-informed care. She tailors treatment to each client’s unique background, strengths, values, and needs, focusing on individual experience, personal growth, and fulfillment of potential. Dr. Citrin uses humor when appropriate and takes a collaborative approach to treatment, ensuring therapy is personalized and effective. She offers specialized care through a warm, analytical lens, helping those overcome medical, health, and trauma-related challenges with comprehensive support.
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Formal & Academic Education

Dr. Leora Citrin, Psy.D., has cultivated a distinguished career at the intersection of physical and mental health, driven by an early curiosity about human nature and the diverse experiences that shape individuals. Her academic journey began at Hofstra University, where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in History and certification as an EMT-B in New York State, blending her medical and psychological interests in a way that laid the groundwork for her future clinical expertise.

Pursuing advanced studies at William James College, Dr. Citrin earned both a Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology. Her training spanned multiple therapeutic modalities, including psychodynamic psychotherapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), eating disorders, human sexuality, and pediatric psychology. Her clinical acumen was sharpened through prestigious roles such as delivering Biofeedback at Boston Behavioral Medicine and providing integrative care at Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center.

Dr. Citrin emerged as a leader, gaining extensive experience through rotations in Conemaugh’s Diabetes Institute, Inpatient Rehabilitation, Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, and Bariatrics clinics. Her innovative research on gender differences in mental health literacy and help-seeking behaviors related to depression garnered significant recognition, leading to presentations at the New England Psychological Association (NEPA) and Conemaugh’s Research Symposium.

Dr. Citrin’s experience includes her work at Atrius Health’s Adult Outpatient Behavioral Health Department, specializing in trauma-focused, client-centered care. Her expertise in trauma therapy deepened with certification in Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), further establishing her as a key figure in trauma-informed treatment.

Dr. Citrin’s career exemplifies her unwavering commitment to clinical excellence, blending medical and psychological strategies to push the boundaries of traditional care and optimize her clients’ well-being. Her work reflects a deep belief in every individual’s capacity for healing and personal growth. Outside of her clinical achievements, Dr. Citrin, a native New Yorker, enjoys culinary exploration and discovering new experiences that broaden her perspective.

EMDR & Integrative Approach

Dr. Leora Citrin, Psy.D., is dedicated to helping individuals break free from the lasting grip of trauma, creating a safe and compassionate space for healing. With a deep understanding of how unresolved memories and overwhelming emotions can leave people feeling stuck, Dr. Citrin works collaboratively with her clients to uncover and process the root causes of their distress. She believes in the body’s natural ability to heal when supported with the right therapeutic environment and uses this belief to guide her trauma-focused work.

Specializing in complex PTSD, interpersonal trauma, childhood sexual abuse, childhood emotional trauma, and intergenerational trauma, Dr. Citrin helps clients who have faced profound challenges such as sexual and physical assault, racial trauma, intimate partner violence, and workplace violence. Her approach empowers clients to regain control over their narratives, shifting from feelings of victimization to a sense of strength and empowerment. Through her trauma-informed care, clients begin to release the emotional burdens of their past, developing new perspectives that allow them to reclaim their lives.

Using a blend of advanced techniques such as EMDR, Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dr. Citrin helps clients reprocess traumatic memories that feel “frozen” and continue to disrupt their daily lives. Her approach encourages emotional resilience, self-compassion, and healing, providing clients with the tools they need to move forward.

Dr. Citrin’s ultimate goal is to help clients break free from the cycles of trauma, empowering them to rewrite their life stories with a sense of control, hope, and purpose. By integrating mindfulness, cognitive techniques, and a trauma-informed lens, she enables individuals to heal, rebuild their self-worth, and move toward a more fulfilling future.

Academic & Professional Achievements

Formal Education

  • Bachelor of Arts in History with a minor in Music: Hofstra University, Long Island, NY
  • Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling: William James College, Newton, MA
  • Doctorate in Clinical Psychology: William James College, Newton, MA
  • Predoctoral Internship: Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center, Johnstown, PA
  • Postdoctoral Position: Atrius Health, Department of Behavioral Health, Trauma Fellow, Chelmsford, MA

Other Specialized Trainings

  • Intensive Eye Movement and Desensitization Training (EMDRIA-approved training through The Center for Excellence)
  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills
  • Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) (STRONG STAR Training Initiative)
  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Beginners
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-i)
  • Motivational Interviewing Foundational
  • Assessing and Managing Suicide Risk (AMSR)
Areas of Expertise
  • Behavioral Health/Health Psychology
  • Acute and chronic medical conditions
  • ADHD
  • Grief
  • Self-esteem & Self-worth
  • Shame & Guilt
  • Anxiety & Panic Attacks
  • Phobia & Fears
  • Depression, with special interest in male depression
  • Male Sexual Dysfunction
  • Complex Trauma & PTSD
  • Childhood sexual abuse
  • Childhood emotional neglect & physical abuse
  • Adult children of immature parents
  • Race-based traumatic stress
  • Intimate partner & workplace violence
  • Complex & Relational Trauma