Leslie’s journey to becoming a mental health counselor, holding an M.A. and being an LPCA, has been a culmination of various life and educational experiences. She believes deeply in the importance of accessible and effective mental healthcare, particularly for marginalized communities. Leslie has witnessed firsthand the negative impact of counselors lacking knowledge about crucial aspects of identity and culture, especially within the queer and disabled communities. This has fueled her desire to help people become their best and most authentic selves. Her areas of interest include LGBTQ+ issues, women's and gender issues, chronic illness/disability, neurodivergence, spirituality, multiculturalism, and the intersections of these experiences. While she enjoys working with adolescents and adults of all ages, her training focused primarily on university students, a population that holds a special place in her heart. 

Leslie’s approach to helping clients heal centers on building a strong connection with the client. She focuses on exploring their emotions, subjective experiences, and relationships, identifying patterns in how they relate to others and themselves. Often, these patterns are so ingrained and subtle that it's difficult to recognize them alone. Leslie strives to create a non-judgmental space where these patterns can be mindfully explored, empowering clients to choose whether they want to continue them and, if so, how to do so in a way that aligns with their values. 

Leslie aims for the connection she builds with clients to feel like an authentic relationship. She prioritizes what they deem most important and pertinent in each session, understanding that sometimes a recent event, even if seemingly unrelated to their long-term goals, needs immediate attention. She feels incredibly honored to get to know individuals and their stories so deeply. 

Working within a trauma-informed environment is essential to her practice. Knowing that her peers share similar values in how clients should be treated provides crucial support. Establishing a safe environment is fundamental to any kind of counseling, and the power dynamics and challenges we all face in our daily lives can significantly impact treatment. 

Outside of counseling, Leslie enjoys reading, playing cozy video games, table-top gaming, and spending time with her partner and their quirky pets. She also loves visiting farmer’s markets and craft fairs. Traveling and learning about other cultures and their histories will always hold a special place in her heart, even if she doesn't get to travel as often as she’d like.