Leslie Meeks

I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 20 years of experience supporting adolescents, adults, couples and families navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, life transitions, and substance use recovery. Throughout my career, I’ve worked in hospital settings, outpatient care, and residential treatment programs, including leadership roles where I helped develop treatment programs and support individuals and families through complex challenges.

My approach is compassionate, practical, and collaborative. I believe therapy should feel like a safe place to slow down, make sense of what’s happening in your life, and begin moving forward with clarity and confidence.

I have particular experience working with:

• stress and burnout
• anxiety and depression
• trauma and family-of-origin patterns
• substance use and recovery support
• relationship challenges
• major life transitions

Whether you’re navigating something specific or simply feeling stuck, therapy can be a powerful place to begin meaningful change.

My approach to therapy is relational, insight-oriented, and practical. I believe meaningful change happens when clients feel understood, supported, and empowered to explore both current challenges and the deeper patterns underneath them.

I draw from several evidence-based and clinically grounded approaches, including:

• psychodynamic and insight-focused therapy
• trauma-informed care
• cognitive-behavioral strategies
• strengths-based and solution-focused techniques

Together, we’ll work to understand what’s contributing to stress or emotional pain while also building tools that help you feel more steady and confident in everyday life.

I see therapy as a partnership. My role is to help you better understand yourself, strengthen coping skills, and move toward the life you want—not just symptom relief, but lasting change.

The first session is a chance for us to get to know each other and begin understanding what brings you to therapy right now.

We’ll talk about:

• what you’ve been experiencing
• what you would like to feel different
• any past therapy experiences
• your goals for support moving forward

You don’t need to have everything figured out before starting. Many people come in unsure of where to begin, and that’s completely okay.

My goal in the first session is to create a comfortable, respectful space where you feel heard and supported while we begin identifying a direction for our work together. By the end of the session, most clients leave with a clearer sense of next steps and how therapy can help.