Lesa Leavelle (LCSW)

I have been practicing 40 years as a Clinical Licensed Social Worker providing mental health and behavioral counseling services to children and adults in a variety of outpatient. inpatient, school and medical settings. Some the presenting issues for which I have experience and additional training include addressing delayed effects of trauma, developing adaptive replacement coping skills, decreasing effects of anxiety/depression, family of origin and relationship issues, coping with grief & loss, increasing motivation, self-esteem/confidence, managing chronic pain, decreasing phobic/avoidance behaviors, ADHD, autism and stress management. When starting therapy, one of my top priorities is to create, as quickly as possible, a therapeutic relationship of mutual respect that provides a safe & nurturing environment honoring the courage it takes to venture into the unknown, share private information and to be willing to try some new things. My style of therapy is based upon a wellness model that honors the whole person emphasizing that a balance between and within multiple spheres of human needs is the basis for mental and emotional wellbeing. So you can expect that in the first session, I will be asking you to share current and historical information about each one on these areas: Social, Emotional, Mental (thinking processes), Physical, Spiritual. From there together we will define areas that you are causing you to seek counseling. I also work from a client centered model, which means we work as a collaborative team. Decisions about goals and priorities are decided upon by you with my professional feedback/ clarification assisting you in exploring/defining the issue and its priority. From there we will be begin developing a plan to address those in the most meaningful way. Out of my tool box of interventions, I will recommend the evidence based ones that will be most effective. I will explain the intervention and how it works so you can make an informed decision about that course of treatment. The interventions that I have used extensively in my practice and for which I have engaged in on-going training include but limited to: Cognitive & Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (CBT & DBT), trauma informed interventions, Internal Family Systems, Somatic Focused Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, Gestalt, Grief Work, Family Therapy, Client Centered Therapy. In addition, I have experience & knowledge of psychopharmacology. Therapy is a very dynamic process which needs to be able to adapt to a need for a change in direction. In order to keep and ensure the plan can adapt to your needs, each session we will be evaluating those earlier treatment goal decisions to refine or move in position of priority redefining treatment goals as needed. Also, we will process your experiences & results of outside assignments that occur between sessions. The pace, depth and direction of sessions will be up to you with my therapeutic feedback and support. If this describes what you think will be a good match, I look forward to meeting you online and support you in taking next steps to move forwar.