Therapist Lesa Leavelle Photo

Lesa Leavelle, LCSW

Stress, Anxiety Trauma, Abuse Grief Self esteem, Motivation Coping with life changes
Video Phone Messaging

About me

I have been practicing 35 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 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, Solution Focused Therapy, Gestalt, Grief Counseling, 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 to 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 on line and support to take next steps so moving forward.

Professional experience

35yrs in practice
Stress, Anxiety Trauma, Abuse Grief Self esteem, Motivation Coping with life changes

Additional areas of focus: Addictions, Relationship issues, Family conflicts, Intimacy-related issues, Anger management, Career difficulties, Bipolar disorder, Coaching, Compassion fatigue, Aging and geriatric issues, Attachment issues, Autism and Asperger Syndrome, Cancer, Caregiver issues and stress, Chronic pain, illness, and disability, Codependency, Dissociation, Family of origin issues, First responder issues, Forgiveness, Guilt and shame, Hospice and end-of-life counseling, Impulsivity, Intellectual disability, Isolation / loneliness, Life purpose, Mood disorders, Phobias, Postpartum depression, Post-traumatic stress, Self-love

Clinical approaches: Attachment-Based Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Mindfulness Therapy, Trauma-Focused Therapy, Internal Family Systems

Services offered

Video
Phone
Messaging

License information

TX LCSW 12701

Reviews

These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Lesa Leavelle. We don't pay anyone to provide their review and they are all made voluntarily. Some people's experience receiving therapy with BetterHelp might be different.

Empathetic, insightful, supportive

Written on Dec 11, 2024 after therapy with Lesa for 1 year and 7 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, and family conflicts

Lesa has been pivotal in helping me not only get out of what I would call an emotional crisis last year, but also in helping me continue to uncover unhealthy habits & mechanisms I have developed surviving past trauma. She has recommended a variety of resources to help me develop new and healthier ways as well as delve into my past trauma to better understand my current patterns and oppirtunity areas .

Written on Dec 04, 2024 after therapy with Lesa for 1 year and 2 months on issues concerning depression, addictions, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, grief, self esteem, career difficulties, coping with life changes, and compassion fatigue

Lesa has really helped me understand my emotions better, where my anger comes from and helps me work through those issues.

Written on Oct 23, 2024 after therapy with Lesa for 6 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, grief, and coping with life changes

Lesa has been great for me to speak with recently. Very understanding very interactive with my issues and things I feel like I’m going through and is very supportive.

Written on Oct 15, 2024 after therapy with Lesa for 3 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, intimacy-related issues, self esteem, anger management, career difficulties, and adhd

Lesa is a natural, passionate, humble therapist. I look forward to my visits with her.

Written on Jul 22, 2024 after therapy with Lesa for 6 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, grief, self esteem, anger management, bipolar disorder, and coping with life changes

I am new to therapy but it has already made a big difference and I'm so glad I found Lesa because she has been a good fit for me. She is a great listener and gives very helpful feedback. I feel validated and encouraged by her and she has helped take a weight off my shoulders. She's helping me have a healthier relationship with myself and with my loved ones. I like how interactive she is throughout the week talking through messages and sending me worksheets. I look forward to our video sessions because she helps me work through my issues and it doesn't feel rushed. She's kind and caring and I'm grateful for her help and insight

Written on Jul 09, 2024 after therapy with Lesa for 2 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, eating disorders, parenting issues, self esteem, and adhd