About Annette
Annette Leija , Ph.D.
(she/her)
Licensure
Texas Licensed Psychologist - 2021
Authority to Practice Interjurisdictional Telepsychology (APIT) from the PSYPACT commission - 2024
Education
B.S., The University of Texas at Austin, Psychology | 2011
M.A., The University of Texas at Austin, Educational Psychology | 2016
Ph.D., The University of Texas at Austin, School Psychology | 2020
I'm a bilingual licensed psychologist based in Austin, Texas, offering therapy in both English and Spanish. I work with children, teens, and adults, and I'm especially passionate about supporting individuals and families as they navigate anxiety, intergenerational trauma, cultural identity, and chronic stress.
As a Latina psychologist living with a chronic illness, I know firsthand what it's like to navigate a healthcare system that wasn't built with you in mind. That shapes how I show up with clients.
With children and teens, I specialize in treating anxiety, depression, OCD, and perfectionism. I also support families in strengthening communication and connection. I work closely with teens and young adults navigating cultural identity and belonging.
I work with adults on anxiety, OCD, depression, and complex PTSD (C-PTSD). I have a special focus on helping individuals who are navigating racialized trauma, microaggressions, marginalization, and the emotional toll of chronic health conditions and chronic pain.
Outside of the therapy room, I'm a lifelong learner and lover of hobbies. These days you can usually find me reading, journaling, or watercoloring, though I'm always up for discovering something new that sparks curiosity.
Dr. Leija is currently accepting new therapy clients for the following:
In-person and telehealth appointments in Austin, TX
Telehealth appointments in many US states and territories (not including AK, CA, IA, HI, LA, MA, MT, NM, NY, OR, Guam, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands)
Clinical Training & Background
I earned my doctoral degree in School Psychology at The University of Texas at Austin, where I trained across a wide range of settings including schools, community clinics, hospitals, and juvenile detention centers. I received specialized training in integrated behavioral health (IBH), which blends mental and physical health support in primary care settings.
During my APA-accredited pre-doctoral internship at Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children, I worked closely with medical teams to support children and families, often serving as the first mental health provider they encountered. This experience shaped my passion for reducing mental health stigma and making emotional wellness a routine part of health care.
I later completed advanced postdoctoral training focused on anxiety, OCD, and related disorders, areas that remain central to my work today.
Today, I continue to prioritize compassionate, collaborative care rooted in cultural humility.
Who Do You Work Best With?
Annette works well with people who are ready to understand what's driving their anxiety, OCD, or depression — not just manage the symptoms. She's a good fit if you're looking for a therapist who will take time to actually get to know you before jumping into treatment.
You might be a good fit if you're:
A child, teen, or adult dealing with anxiety, OCD, depression, or perfectionism
Someone navigating racialized trauma, microaggressions, or the weight of chronic illness, chronic pain, or insomnia
A first or second generation immigrant, or someone working through questions of cultural identity and belonging
A Spanish-speaking client looking for therapy in your first language
A parent seeking support for your child, or looking for guidance on how to better connect as a family
Someone who wants a collaborative approach where your goals and values shape the treatment, not the other way around
At the heart of my work is the belief that healing begins with feeling safe, seen, and supported. I prioritize building a strong therapeutic relationship and strive to create a space where clients feel welcomed just as you are, free of judgment and full of possibility.
Annette Specializes in
Anxiety and related disorders (e.g., phobias, social anxiety, separation anxiety, perfectionism)
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Depression
Racial Trauma
Children of immigrants
Chronic Illness & Chronic Pain
Insomnia
My approach is collaborative and unhurried. After a thorough intake, we build a treatment plan around your actual goals, not a generic protocol. I'm direct about what the evidence says works, and flexible about how we get there.
I take the intake process seriously. Before we talk about treatment, I want to understand who you are, what you've tried before, and what actually matters to you. That's what shapes how we work together.
If any of this sounds like what you've been looking for, reach out.
I integrate a variety of evidence-based approaches, including:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Mindfulness-based strategies
Motivational Interviewing
Parent Management Training
I’d love to hear from you.
To set up a consultation or assessment, feel free to contact me by email.
E: drannetteleija@pivotpsychologyatx.com