Andrea Lein, Ph.D.

Dr. Andrea Lein holds a Ph.D. in Clinical & School Psychology and an M.Ed. in Educational Psychology, specializing in giftedness, from the University of Virginia.

She has devoted her career, spanning over 25 years, to working with gifted, creative, and twice-exceptional (2e) neurodiverse individuals, serving in areas of clinical practice, research, education, and leadership.

Renowned for her unparalleled ability to empower high-achieving professionals, creatives, and their families, she guides gifted people of all ages from around the world.

Andrea is also an engaging speaker and author who has delivered her message to thousands of people via the stage, local, national, and international media and interviews. Topics she speaks and writes on range from holistic mental health and wellbeing, flourishing in the workplace, parenting, giftedness, to emotionally intelligent leadership.

She is based in North Carolina, and provides virtual coaching and consultation to clients all over the world.

Work Experience

• 2020 – current: Independent Mental Health & Wellbeing Consultant & Coach
• 2020 – current: Parent Coach
• 2018 – current: Professional Speaker
• 2016 – 2019: Head of School, John Dewey Academy, a therapeutic boarding school for gifted/2e students
• 2015 – 2016: Clinician/Fellow, Center for Motivation and Change, MA
• 2014 – 2015: Independent Consultant, NEASC Accreditation
• 2012 – 2014: Dean of Academics, Clinician, Psychology faculty, John Dewey Academy
• 2007 – 2011: Dean of Students, Clinician, Psychology faculty, John Dewey Academy
• 2006 – 2007: Clinical Psychology Intern at Carolinas Healthcare System
• 2001 – 2006: Research Assistant, National Research Center for the Gifted and Talented, University of Virginia
• 2004: Graduate Instructor, Introduction to Gifted Education, University of Virginia
• 2004 – 2005: Assessment Supervisor, Center for Clinical Psychology Services, University of Virginia
• 2003 – 2005: Psychotherapist & Case Manager, Center for Clinical Psychology Services, University of Virginia
• 2002 – 2004: Teacher, Summer Enrichment Program for the Academically Gifted, University of Virginia
• 2000 – 2001: Quality Improvement Specialist, The Barry Robinson Center, VA
• 1998 – 2000: Psychometrician, Riverside Rehabilitation Institute, VA
• 1998 – 2000: Neurotherapy Research Assistant, Riverside Rehabilitation Institute, VA

First- and Second-Author Publications

• Lein, A. E. (2021). The psychological adjustment of gifted children and individuals with high intellectual ability. In Miller, E., Matthew, M., & Dixon, D. (Eds.), The development of the high ability child: Psychological perspectives on giftedness. Routledge Publishing.
• Lein, A. E. & Molbak, H. (2019). The needs of gifted children in residential treatment. Presented at the Annual Conference of the Social Emotional Needs of the Gifted (SENG) in Houston, TX.
• Lein, A., Miller, E., Capper, M., Beasley, J., & Yoon, M. (2015). Multiple voices on optimizing the potential of students with cognitive and creative abilities. Presented at the 2015 Annual Conference of the National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC), Phoenix, AZ.
• *Esperat-Lein, A. (2015). Voices of ‘privileged’ youth: The lived experiences of affluent, at-risk adolescents in residential treatment. [Doctoral Dissertation, University of Virginia]. UVA Libra ETD Repository.
• Esperat, A. (2011). Therapeutic boarding school for the gifted. Invited presentation at the University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT.
• Esperat, A. (2010). Therapeutic boarding school: when traditional approaches fail. Presented at the 2010 Annual Conference of the National Association for Gifted Children, Atlanta, GA.
• Esperat, A. M., & Capper, M. (2003). The paradox of the gifted and learning disabled. Presented at the Annual Meeting of the National Association for Gifted Children, Denver, CO.
• Esperat, A. M., & Capper, M. (2003). The paradox of the gifted and learning disabled. Presented at the Annual Meeting of the Virginia Association for Gifted Children, Williamsburg, VA.
• Esperat, A. M., Clemons, T., Baymiller, K., Miller, E., & Moon, T. (2003). Using case-based instruction to identify talent in primary students. Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the National Association for Gifted Children, Denver, CO.
• Esperat, A. M. (2003). Creatively gifted: a redundancy? Gifted Dialogue, 1, 10.

*Formerly authored under Esperat

Education & Degrees

• Ph.D., Clinical & School Psychology, APA-Accredited, University of Virginia
• M.Ed., Educational Psychology, Psychology & Education of the Gifted, University of Virginia
• B.S., Psychology & Human Services Counseling, Old Dominion University
• Clinical Psychology Postdoctoral Fellowship, Center for Motivation and Change, Massachusetts
• Clinical Psychology Internship, APA-Accredited, CMC-Randolph, Behavioral Health Center, North Carolina
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy Certification

A Personal Message From Andrea

I believe everyone has unique gifts and talents that the world needs, now more than ever. Don’t be afraid to show up and serve at the highest level. When we step into our powerful, beautiful–and sometimes quirky– superpowers, we can truly change the world!

– Andrea

Why Should You Trust What Andrea Writes?

Andrea has been working in the field of psychology for over 25 years with deep foundations in rigorous academic research.

She is passionate about positive psychology and has been incorporating it into her leadership, clinical work, and teaching throughout her career.

Andrea believes that, as a psychologist, she has a responsibility to translate research into practical and applicable strategies for people to use.