Hey there! My name is Leslie and welcome to Arena! I am a licensed mental health counselor and look forward to providing a safe place to begin your journey of self-discovery. I received my Masters Degree in Psychology and Counseling from the University of West Alabama. I have experience in various levels of care to include residential, outpatient, inpatient settings, and have specialized experience working with individuals dealing with trauma/PTSD, substance abuse, depression and various process addictions. I am also trained in various treatment modalities to include EMDR, Basic ART, Breathwork Level 1, and Equine therapy. I started my career in mental health as a children’s case manager at a local community mental health center with the goal of becoming a therapist. I realized my calling was in counseling while working as a teacher’s aid and noticing the impact I had in holding space for my students.
Fortified with my trainings, experience and education, I am someone who understands that healing requires a safe place to explore and navigate those areas outside of a person’s comfort zone. As a heart centered, client focused therapist I look forward to empowering you to reach your highest potential.
The arena is a place of contact; it is a place of imperfection, but also of showing up. It is not always a comfortable place, but rather a place of courage and risk.
It is our hope that Arena will be a place ofdiscovery, healing, of life, of hope, of freedom, and of coming home to yourself.
