Jennifer Leigh, PsyD
Coach, Author, Benzo Survivor

Hope. Help. Healing.

After I earned a doctorate in psychology, I became a coach. As an award-winning author, I appeared on national radio and TV and my work was showcased in top newspapers and magazines. Psychology Today asked me to be a contributor. But that career came to a close when I had a life-threatening brain injury due to a benzodiazepine I took as directed by my doctor. I blog honestly about my ordeal and help people around the world who have the same injury.

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My Story

If you follow my blog, you know that in my early fifties I drank wine every night to stave off tolerance withdrawal symptoms, and I was increasingly bedridden. I didn’t know that my drinking and poor health were fueled by the little pill I had dutifully swallowed per my doctor’s instructions. In 2010, I started my journey to get off of the benzo so that could be well and whole.

It wasn’t an easy journey, but it was a worthwhile journey. I’ve compassionately examined every aspect of my life, my eating habits, lifestyle, belief systems, faith, all of it. I’ve worked hard to raise every element of my life to its highest and best. I filter my daily life through the question “What is the most loving thing to think, feel, and do?”

I’ve learned how to be happy no matter what life throws at me. And that’s what I want to help others learn how to do, even in benzo withdrawal.

I also write and publish Soul Reminders; spiritual inspiration for those who want a closer relationship with God as they understand God.

 

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. We go on to live happy and healthy lives, full of joy, passion, curiosity, wonder, and gratitude. Benzo withdrawal is a temporary condition, a season that will fade into a season of well-being.

 

My Approach

People in benzo withdrawal need a great deal of support and reassurance that they will get better. That’s why I structure my work to include calls from people who only want to share their questions or concerns infrequently, as the need arises. The act of being heard and cared for is healing.

I also work with people who want a weekly or bi-monthly coaching relationship so that they can better achieve their recovery goals. Having a compassionate coach hold you accountable is powerful.

I do my best to answer emails and text messages within 24 hours.

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My Books

  • A Little Book of Listening Skills
  • Laid or Loved?
  • How to Raise Dandelion Daughters
  • Soul Reminders, 101 Devotions for Your Journey
  • Listen Like Jesus, 40 Days to a Stronger Family

Career Highlights

  • On national television and radio

  • Interviewed by top-tier media (New York Times, Huffington Post, Reuters)

  • Taught at Stanford University

  • National Charity League speaker

  • International workshop leader

  • Addictionblog.org contributor

  • Psychology Today contributor

  • Award-winning author

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