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My name is Leisa Watkins and I am a Licensed Marriage and Family therapist with specialties and credentially in Eye Movement Desentization and Reprocessing therapy and Marital/Couples counseling. I am a trauma informed therapist who believes that trauma does not define a person, it determines our behavioral responses and therefore, it can be healed and our responses can be altered to become healthier, productive, and lead to success in relationships and in life.
My approach
I combine EMDR with couples work, individual work, and treat anxiety and depression with EMDR/EMDR skills, CBT, DBT, Narrative, and Emotive therapies. I utilize Family Systems, Structural, and Strategic therapies with couples and Ego State, REBT, and Integrated Family Systems with individuals.
My focus
I enjoy working with couples dealing with past trauma, trust issues, communication strains, and parenting issues. I also enjoy working with dissociation, anxiety, depression, bipolar, grief, and life changes in both individuals and couples.
My communication style
I prefer that my clients see me as nonjudmental, willing to sit with big emotions, open in communication, validating, and when desired, challenging of negative cognitions. I believe that connection is the primary requirement for a healthy and productive therapeutic alliance with my clients.
My journey to mental healthcare
I was a victim of sexual abuse throughout my childhood and struggled for many decades wih dissociation. I found complete healing from my trauma and decided that I had a calling to help others overcome their challenges and traumas so that they could live their best lives and find joy. I continue to do this work, even though I have tried retiring several times in the past few years, because I love helping others create a new healthy paradigm for themselves.
My goals for you
Gpoals are personal to each individual. If I am setting your goals, you have no investment in them. I want to help you verbalize tyour goals and then assist you in eveloping the tools and skills to meet those goals.
My first session with you
My first sessions are all about building rapport. If you aren't comfortable with your clinician after the first session, you will struggle to build a solid working relationship with them. My goal in the first session is to develop an environment of acceptance and comfortability.
