SUWS of the Carolinas welcomed Leyla El-Baba, MSW, LCSW-A, into the professional and compassionate clinical team in the role of primary therapist for adolescent girls ages 14 – 17.  With the addition of Leyla El-Baba to the clinical team, SUWS has immediate openings for 14 to 17-year-old females.

Leyla is excited to bring her clinical experience and passion to SUWS to help adolescent girls gain insight and understanding into their past, present, and future selves while empowering girls to discover and learn to use their voice and supporting them as they connect with their embodied wisdom and most authentic self. 

A graduate of Warren Wilson College (NC), Leyla earned her Bachelor’s in Psychology with a minor in outdoor leadership. In 2020, she received her master’s degree in social work with a specialization in integrated healthcare from Western Carolina University.  Since 2015, Leyla served in the mental health field in residential treatment, wilderness therapy, outpatient therapy, substance use treatment, and crisis stabilization, serving adolescents, children, adults, and families. 

During Leyla’s initial caseload development, she will receive supervision from Clinical Director Erica Thiessen, LCMHCS, NCC.  “Leyla brings a unique combination of dynamic clinical experience in residential and community settings, along with a sense of adventure and creativity in her personal accomplishment of hiking the Pacific Crest Trail,” said Erica Thiessen, SUWS Clinical Director. “These are fantastic ingredients to bring into her work with our SUWS students in the beautiful Pisgah National Forest.”

About Suws of the Carolinas

SUWS of the Carolinas and Phoenix Outdoor is a licensed, CARF International-accredited mental health facility, committed to helping families rediscover their strengths and fostering growth for young people. Operating in the Pisgah National Forest outside of Asheville, SUWS delivers wilderness based therapeutic interventions for 10-17 year old boys and girls with compassion and excellence.