Dr. Leesha Ellis-Cox, affectionately known as Dr. Leesha or Dr. EC, is a double board certified psychiatric physician who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders. She is also a Christian, a wife, mother,  author, and maternal wellness strategist. Born and raised in Raleigh, North Carolina, Dr. Leesha earned both her Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Medicine degrees from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She completed her general psychiatry residency training, child and adolescent psychiatry fellowship, and community mental health/public psychiatry fellowship at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta. Since 2009, she has lived and worked in Alabama and provides psychiatric services to children and adults at several community mental health centers in and around Birmingham and in her private practice.

In addition to her work as a psychiatrist, she is a leading mental health authority, dynamic public speaker, and highly sought-after parenting expert. She blogs regularly about motherhood, mental health, and faith at www.drleesha.com. She uses her platform to destigmatize mental illness and to educate communities about the importance of mental health. She also champions maternal mental health, teaching women to let go of the unhealthy and unrealistic societal expectations of motherhood and to instead reclaim their identity that exists beyond the role of “mom.”

She and her husband have three beautiful children, daughters ages 8 and 15 and a 12-year-old son. She enjoys reading, attending cultural events, traveling, and watching her son play baseball. She is also a fitness and wellness enthusiast. She has presented for several community-based organizations including Hoover City Schools, National Black Child Development Institute, Jack and Jill of America, Inc., The Worship Center Christian Church, and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. Her work has appeared in the media and numerous publications including ABC 33/40, WRBC Fox 6 News, Healthline, and Bustle.