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LEELA GERSHENSON COUNSELING
"The good life is a process, not a state of being. It is a not a destination." Carl Rogers
LGBTQIA2+ Safe Space
WELCOME
Welcome and congratulations! Beginning therapy can be intimidating, but I believe that asking for help is brave and that we all work better with others on our side. I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Board Certified Telemental Health Counselor. I am able to see clients via telehealth anywhere in Florida, Virginia and South Dakota.
I specialize in all subtypes of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Social Anxiety, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Phobias and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. I am passionate about using evidence -based treatments and take my role in making sure that I am up to date with the most effective and current strategies for helping those that come to me very seriously. I use Exposure Response Prevention along with traditional CBT, Mindfulness Based CBT, and compassion focused therapy for OCD and anxiety disorders and Prolonged Exposure to treat Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
If you have worked in therapy and felt like you weren't getting specific tools you were looking for or are tired of learning about breathing techniques for intrusive thoughts than I may be a better fit for you. I enjoy providing psychoeducation and am transparent in techniques used and discussing why they work. I believe that you understanding what is going on and why we are using certain techniques can be very empowering and help you to become your own therapist.
"IF YOU'RE WILLING TO INVEST A LITTLE TIME IN YOURSELF, YOU CAN LEARN TO MASTER YOUR MOODS MORE EFFECTIVELY, JUST AS AN ATHLETE WHO PARTICIPATES IN A DAILY CONDITIONING PROGRAM CAN DEVELOP GREATER ENDURANCE AND STRENGTH." DAVID BURNS
CLIENT FOCUSED
I will tailor our sessions to the areas that are most important to you. I specialize in Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Social Anxiety, and Phobias and also have experience working with adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities and their families, depression, trauma, generalized anxiety, HIV/AIDS, LGBTQIA populations.
YOU ARE IN CONTROL
You will always be in control of your therapy. I am transparent in tools that we are using so that you are learning techniques that you can use on your own. I may offer suggestions and gentle nudges though you will always be in control of the direction and pace of therapy.
LET'S WORK TOGETHER
It's important to have someone on your side. By working together, I can help you to recognize what issues that are most important to you, to trust your own wisdom and recognize your strengths. My goal is to help empower you to move in a direction that is most meaningful for you.
“Healing doesn't mean the damage never existed. It means the damage no longer controls your life.......”
Ashkay Dubey
