Leslie Guy

My name is Leslie Guy and am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. I work collaboratively with you to help you live a more full expression of your life. For me, you are the expert on your life and experiences. My role is to provide new perspectives and assist as you overcome the obstacles to live a more vibrant life. Along with addressing your challenges, we also identify your strengths to illicit in the therapeutic journey. So, it is not just about focusing on what is wrong; it is about skillfully employing what is right. This has been an effective approach with the past clients I have served whether they are working with loss, trauma, depression, anxiety, and interpersonal relations.

My approach

With input from you, the client, we use cognitive and somatic approaches to create some new patterns of thinking and behaving that more fully serve your life. My approach has been greatly informed by Interpersonal Neurobiology, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Schema Therapy, Positive Psychology, Choice Therapy, Reality Therapy, and Process-oriented hypnotherapy.

My focus

For me, I have found the Tele-Health format is well suited for clients struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, intrapersonal turmoil, relationship challenges, work/school issues, and impulsive behaviors.

My communication style

It is often hard for clients to meet a therapist and begin sharing their personal challenges. In our first meeting, I act as a guide to help identify the salient components of your challenges and get a picture of your life free from these constraints. With this in mind, we establish goals to provide direction and common purpose for our future meetings. The future sessions, we continue to cut a path toward your chosen destination.

My journey to mental healthcare

My father was a youth in the depression. He had a certain approach to life he developed from this background. Over the years of his life, he never updated this approach to life much. In his 60s, I ended up providing end-of-life care for my father as he died of cancer. In his last months, he saw life differently and wished he could make some changes, but it was too late. The emotional pain of not being able to change anything in how he lived far surpassed the pain of his cancer. I did not realize it at the time what an impact this had on me. Now, to be part of anyone making choices that create the relationships and the life a person wants is a great honor. Moment by moment, choice by choice, we are creating our lives. Making the moments and choices intentionally count is one of our greatest personal powers.

My goals for you

In the first session, after we have identified several components (some conscious and some likely unconscious) that have been influencing the current unwanted condition, I guide you to imagine how you would be living without this challenge. This is the foundation of the goal we establish for your benefit.

My first session with you

After the first session, you should have a more clear understanding of what and how to create the life you envision and how the therapeutic journey will be in service to this goal.