BA, Sarah Lawrence College. MA, New York University. MSL, University of California Law, San Francisco. DSW pending, Simmons University. A licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) and psychotherapist, Lief specializes in the treatment of eating disorders, body image, Borderline Personality Disorder, self-harm, and substance use. She completed psychoanalytic training through the William Alanson White Institute of Psychiatry, Psychoanalysis, and Psychology in the Eating Disorders, Compulsions, and Addictions (EDCAS) program. She also completed the advanced clinical supervision training program through Smith College School for Social Work. Her approach is primarily psychodynamic but also combines aspects of self-psychology, feminist/womanist theories, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Seeking Safety, mindful self-compassion, and mindfulness. Lief is particularly interested in the treatment of eating disorders as a social justice issue as they relate to people of color and the LGBTQ+ community. She is also adept at treating individuals diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder. Her grief and loss work is broad but focuses on motherless daughters, maternal grief and wounding, and emotional abandonment. Lief also works with individuals who have experienced miscarriage, fertility-related issues, postpartum depression, anxiety, and psychosis, as well as postpartum PTSD. She works with individuals undergoing IVF and who have struggled with women’s health issues, such as Endometriosis and PCOS, as well as individuals who are pregnant and struggling with an eating disorder. Lief is an adjunct faculty member at Smith College School for Social Work, where she also works as a practicum faculty advisor. SLC, 2026–
Undergraduate Courses 2025-2026
Psychology
Eating Disorders and Social Justice
Sophomore and Above, Large seminar—Spring
PSYC 3207
Eating disorders are an epidemic in our society. And yet, a core myth remains that this disease disproportionately impacts white, young, privileged women. Research, however, shows us that eating disorders disproportionately impact individuals of color, individuals of various gender identities and expressions, the LGBTQIA community, folks with disabilities, older individuals, men, as well as veterans and athletes. Through class discussion, lecture, movies, memoir, art, essays, and reflection papers, this course is designed to teach students how to understand eating disorders as a social-justice issue, with particular attention to understanding feminist, Black feminist, womanist, and eco-womanist perspectives. At the conclusion of the course, students will be equipped with advocacy, problem-solving, and active listening skills and knowledge about how issues related to diversity, racism, oppression, homophobia, transphobia, micro-aggressions, poverty, violence, trauma, disability justice, reproductive justice, and intersectionality impact individuals with eating disorders. Students will have opportunities to apply learning to settings specific to their personal interests and chosen paths. Particular focus will also be on informed consent and bioethical dilemmas with regard to treatment of eating disorders, as well as disability justice perspectives. The learning objectives are designed to help students learn how to think and not what to think about eating disorders. The field of eating disorder treatment is evolving, and we are in need of reform at every level. Through the course, students will gain the necessary skills to understand how to treat eating disorders as a social-justice issue and engage in prevention and policy work. Students will also understand the medical complications of eating disorders.