About
Dr. Jennifer Leigh
Coach. Educator. Author.
Hope. Help. Healing.
After earning a doctorate in psychology, I became a coach. As an award-winning author, I appeared on national radio and television. My work was showcased in top-tier newspapers and magazines. Psychology Today asked me to be a contributor, and I was vetted for my own reality television show. But my career stopped when the benzodiazepine I took as prescribed damaged my brain. I blogged honestly about my ordeal, sharing my experience with others. Recovered, I help people worldwide who are in benzo withdrawal/BIND, support their caregivers, and educate healthcare workers about benzodiazepines, and how to treat their patients experiencing withdrawal/BIND. I also help people avoid getting on dangerous psych meds by teaching them how to overcome anxiety and worry.
Career Highlights For Dr. Jennifer Leigh
- Doctorate in psychology, Cal Southern
- Trained under the top traumatologists Dr. Peter Levine and Bessel van Der Kolk
- Award-winning author
- Guest on national television and radio
- Online contributor for Psychology Today
- Interviewed by top-tier media
- Taught How To Boost Your Creative Brain Power at Stanford University
- Global workshop leader
- National speaker
- Creator of Heal With Dr. Jenn support group for benzodiazepine withdrawal/BIND
- Global leader in benzodiazepine withdrawal/BIND
- Certified in plant-based nutrition from Cornell University
- Master class in the gut microbiome
- Post-doc studies of social neuroscience/polyvagal theory
- 4 Cornerstones of well-being educator
More Details
I began taking a benzo in my mid-thirties for panic attacks. In my forties and fifties, I drank wine every night to stave off tolerance withdrawal symptoms (full disclosure, I am a recovering alcoholic), and I was increasingly bedridden. I didn’t know that my poor health was fueled by the little pill I had dutifully swallowed per my doctor’s instructions. In 2010, I got sober. Next, I started my journey to get off of the benzo so that I could be healthy and whole.
It wasn’t an easy journey (benzo withdrawal was hell!), but it was a worthwhile journey. I’ve learned to live the four cornerstones of well-being: eat right, move enough, stress less, and love well. I no longer have anxiety or panic attacks. I’ve been sober since October 13, 2010, and free from benzodiazepines since June 23, 2011. I’ve learned to be calm and happy no matter what life throws at me; no more anxiety or panic attacks.
I’m honored to help reduce suffering in the world by educating, coaching, and consulting about benzodiazepine withdrawal/BIND and teaching how to overcome anxiety without dangerous psych meds.
I Believe
Benzo withdrawal can be a time of enormous growth
As traumatic as my recovery from benzos was, it was also a time of personal growth. I used the time to let go of past wounds, limiting self-beliefs and resentments that had kept true health and happiness at bay.
You have more inner wisdom than you know
When we are quiet, we can tap into our inner wisdom that reminds us that we are whole, even in benzo withdrawal. Benzos can’t damage our authentic selves, no matter how strange we may be feeling. We’re still in there!
Acceptance is everything
Fighting our symptoms or feeling sorry for ourselves creates more suffering. Acceptance is a powerful ally in withdrawal and helps us to avoid feeling desperate and hopeless. The Serenity Prayer is good medicine.
We eventually recover
It may take a great deal of time for some of us, but we do heal. Living the four cornerstones of well-being is key. Healing the gut microbiome through diet and lifestyle goes a long way to healing the brain and nervous system.