Leslie Howard

You are not too much, too broken, or too late to start. If you’re feeling weighed down by anxiety, past trauma, or the pressure to show up as someone you’re not, you’re in the right place. I work with people who are in the “messy middle” of life—sorting through big feelings, complicated relationships, identity questions, and the impact of systems that were never built with them in mind. In our work together, you don’t have to perform or shrink yourself. This is a space where you can bring your full story—anger, grief, joy, confusion, and hope—and know that it will be met with care, honesty, and no judgment.

Many of my clients are LGBTQ+ folks, people of color, and people who have been impacted by the criminal legal system. You might be untangling the weight of family expectations, religious trauma, internalized oppression, or navigating life after incarceration or court involvement. You may be tired of explaining your identities or defending your experiences in spaces that don’t fully see you. With me, you don’t have to justify why it hurts. Together, we’ll slow things down, make sense of what you’ve been carrying, and start building new ways of relating to yourself, others, and the world around you that feel more grounded, empowered, and true to who you are.

My style is warm, direct, and collaborative. I blend evidence-based approaches like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and mindfulness with radical compassion, cultural humility, and a strong awareness of how systems of oppression shape mental health. That means we’ll look at your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, while also honoring the real-world context you live in—race, gender, sexuality, class, safety, and access to support all matter in the room with us. Some sessions will be reflective and gentle, focused on building safety and self-compassion. Other times, I may gently challenge patterns that no longer serve you, invite you to try new skills, or offer a different perspective so you can see yourself with more clarity and possibility.

As a Black queer therapist, I know how powerful it is to be seen not just as a “case” but as a full human with history, culture, and resilience. I aim to create a space that is affirming, non-shaming, and real—where you can question, laugh, cry, and experiment with new ways of being. We might use grounding exercises to help regulate your nervous system, CBT tools to shift unhelpful thinking, or narrative work to rewrite the stories you’ve been handed about who you are. I move at your pace: we’ll set goals together, check in regularly about what’s working, and make sure therapy feels like a useful, living part of your life rather than something you “just get through” each week.

Starting therapy—especially if you’ve been dismissed, judged, or harmed in past systems—can feel scary, vulnerable, or even risky. You don’t have to have the “perfect” words, a neat story, or a clear plan to begin. Our first session is simply a chance for us to get to know each other, talk about what’s bringing you in, and explore what you’d like to be different in your life. I’ll ask thoughtful questions, share how I work, and we’ll decide together if it feels like a good fit. You’re always in control of what you share, what we focus on, and the pace we move at.

If you are ready to start—or restart—your healing journey, I’d be honored to walk alongside you. Whether you’re navigating anxiety, identity, trauma, or the everyday exhaustion of surviving in systems that don’t fully see you, you don’t have to do it alone. You deserve a space where you can exhale, be honest, and feel supported in building a life that feels more aligned and sustainable. If this resonates, you can book a session directly through this profile by choosing a time that works for you. If you don’t see the availability you need, reach out—I’ll do my best to accommodate or discuss options. Let’s do this work together, at a pace and in a way that truly centers you.