Sentier is so excited to welcome Levi Weinhagen, MSW, LGSW, to our team! We asked him some questions to get to know him better:
Sentier: How did you decide to become a therapist?
Levi Weinhagen: Prior to becoming a therapist I worked as a teaching artist as well as a workplace trainer and facilitator. I found myself wanting to go deeper in the ways I supported people’s growth and development and therapy felt like a powerful pathway towards that.
S: Who do you love working with as a therapist in terms of client needs and methods of support?
LW: I love working with clients who are curious about themselves and open to growth — people who are willing to explore not just “what’s going wrong,” but “what’s possible.” In therapy, this often means supporting adults and teens who want to better understand their patterns, navigate life transitions, untangle anxiety, and integrate personal values. My methods of support often draw from mindfulness and self-awareness practices, narrative therapy, relational and strengths-based approaches, and creative, metaphor-rich strategies. My clients tend to value warmth, humor, and an approach that blends kindness with clear-eyed honesty — where insight leads to real-world shifts.
S: You’re also an artist and comedian. Do those intersect with therapy for you?
My experience making theater and comedy for 25 years are a significant aspect of how I show up as a therapist. I think humor is a powerful tool for saying things that feel scary or overwhelming to talk about and there are times when laughing while navigating intense feelings is a powerful way to cope.
S: How would you spend an obligation-free day?
LW: For me an obligation-free day would include a workout, building a LEGO set of some kind, reading a book, a lovely meal with my wife and maybe going to see live theater or a movie.
SP: You’re getting takeout. What’s your meal of choice?
LW: There’s a place I love in Minneapolis called Peninsula that offers Malaysian cuisine. They have my two favorite takeout orders, Mango Tofu and Spicy Golden Tofu. Ridiculously good!
S: What is your favorite method of self-care?
LW: My two most important self-care practices are consistent sleep and intense exercise. Luckily, long runs or heavy lifts make me sleep really well and good sleep gives me energy for working out, so they support one another. Beyond those, I’m a big fan of mindfulness work that can be anything from sitting with quiet intention for one minute to a contemplative walk.
S: What are your professional goals as you start at Sentier?
LW: My professional goals are to deepen what I know about myself as a person and a therapist so that I may show up as effectively and openly as possible when I work with clients. More specifically, I’d like to deepen my skills with specific treatment modalities like EMDR and Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, while also growing my clinical experience working with teens.
If you’d like to inquire about working with Levi, please email ellie@sentiertherapy.com
