Angela Leonard
Hello, I'm Angela and I have over 20 years of working with adolescents, individuals, and families in a variety of settings. I’m passionate about helping individuals, couples, and families navigate life’s challenges and create meaningful, lasting change. I take a genuine, person-centered approach, meeting you where you are and providing a safe, supportive space where you can feel heard, understood, and respected. I work best with individuals who may be feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or navigating anxiety, mood concerns, trauma, or life transitions, as well as couples who are experiencing communication challenges, emotional distance, or simply want to strengthen their connection. I also support clients managing co-occurring concerns such as substance use, grief, and relationship stress. Whether you’re seeking clarity, healing, or growth, I strive to meet you where you are and tailor the process to your unique needs and goals.
I have a strong passion for relationship work, helping clients strengthen communication, rebuild trust, and deepen emotional connection.
The impact I aim to have in your life is helping you feel more grounded, confident, and in control of your emotions and decisions. Through our work together, you can expect to gain deeper self-awareness, improve your relationships, and develop healthier ways of thinking, coping, and communicating. My goal is for you to leave therapy feeling empowered—with the tools, insight, and confidence to navigate life’s challenges and create a life that feels more balanced, fulfilling, and aligned with who you are.
First session
During your first session, you can expect a welcoming, supportive, and nonjudgmental environment where you can begin to share your story at your own pace. My goal is to help you feel comfortable and heard while we start building a strong therapeutic relationship. We will spend time discussing what brought you to therapy, any current concerns or challenges you may be experiencing, and what you hope to gain from the process. I may ask questions about your background, relationships, and overall well-being to better understand your unique situation and needs. This initial session is also an opportunity for you to ask questions, share any preferences, and get a feel for how I work. Together, we will begin identifying goals and discussing how approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), or Person-Centered Therapy may support your journey. There is no pressure to share everything all at once—this is your space, and we will move at a pace that feels right for you. By the end of the session, you can expect to have a clearer understanding of the next steps and how we can work together to support your goals.
Strengths
What sets me apart is my ability to blend a genuine, person-centered approach with practical, results-driven strategies. I don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all model—each client’s experience is unique, and I tailor my approach to meet you where you are while helping you move forward in a meaningful way. I integrate evidence-based modalities such as Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), allowing me to provide both insight and practical tools that clients can apply in their everyday lives. This balance helps clients not only understand their challenges but actively work through them with confidence. I am also known for creating a space where clients feel genuinely seen, heard, and supported, while still being challenged in a healthy and productive way. My approach combines warmth with accountability—helping clients build self-awareness, improve relationships, and make lasting changes. Additionally, my experience working with individuals, couples, and families across diverse settings allows me to understand complex dynamics and meet clients with flexibility and cultural sensitivity. I have a strong passion for relationship work, helping clients strengthen communication, rebuild trust, and deepen emotional connection. Ultimately, what makes my work unique is the balance of compassion and structure—supporting clients in feeling safe enough to open up, while also equipping them with the skills and clarity needed to create real, sustainable change in their lives.
Ideal clients
I am best positioned to support individuals, couples, and families who are ready to better understand themselves, strengthen their relationships, and create meaningful, lasting change in their lives. Many of the clients I work with come to therapy feeling overwhelmed by life stressors, navigating relationship challenges, or struggling with anxiety, mood concerns, trauma, or life transitions. I work especially well with clients who are open to self-reflection and growth—even if they are unsure where to begin. Some may feel stuck, emotionally drained, or disconnected, while others are seeking clarity, direction, and practical tools to improve their daily functioning and overall well-being. I also have a strong focus on couples and relationship work. I support partners who are experiencing communication breakdowns, trust concerns, or emotional distance, as well as those who simply want to deepen their connection and strengthen their foundation. Using approaches such as Emotionally Focused Therapy, I help couples build understanding, improve communication, and reconnect in a meaningful way.
Origin story
What inspired me to become a therapist was my desire to help people feel heard, understood, and supported during some of the most difficult moments of their lives. I have always had a passion for helping others recognize their strengths, work through challenges, and understand that their past experiences do not have to determine their future. Over the years, I have seen how trauma, relationships, family dynamics, life transitions, and mental health challenges can affect every part of a person’s life. Those experiences strengthened my desire to create a space where people can be themselves without feeling judged and can work through difficult emotions at their own pace. I became a therapist because I believe people deserve more than someone who simply listens—they deserve someone who is willing to meet them where they are, challenge them when needed, celebrate their progress, and help them develop practical tools they can use outside of therapy. What continues to inspire me is watching clients begin to recognize their own strength. Seeing someone establish healthier boundaries, improve their relationships, heal from painful experiences, build confidence, or simply realize that they are making progress is one of the most meaningful parts of the work I do. For me, therapy is about helping people create meaningful change and build a life that feels healthier, more balanced, and more fulfilling.
Treatment methods
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
I am trained in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and incorporate it regularly into my clinical practice when working with individuals, couples, and families. DBT is an evidence-based approach that is especially effective for individuals experiencing emotional dysregulation, anxiety, mood instability, interpersonal conflict, and trauma-related concerns. In my practice, I utilize DBT in a flexible, person-centered way, meeting clients where they are while helping them build practical, real-life skills. I focus on the core components of DBT, including mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness. These skills help clients better understand their emotions, manage overwhelming situations, and improve communication and relationships.
Person-centered (Rogerian)
I utilize a Person-Centered Therapy approach as a foundational part of my clinical practice. This method emphasizes creating a safe, supportive, and nonjudgmental environment where clients feel heard, valued, and respected. It is the belief that individuals are the experts of their own lives. I strive to meet clients where they are, honoring their unique experiences, perspectives, and pace of growth. Through empathy, authenticity, and unconditional positive regard, I work to build a strong therapeutic relationship that fosters trust and openness.
Solution-Focused Brief Treatment
I incorporate Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) into my clinical practice as a goal-oriented, strengths-based approach that helps clients create meaningful change in a relatively short period of time. SFBT focuses on identifying what is already working in a client’s life and building on those strengths, rather than focusing primarily on problems or past difficulties. I work collaboratively with clients to clarify their goals, explore exceptions to challenges, and develop practical, achievable steps toward the future they want. In sessions, I often use techniques such as the “miracle question,” scaling questions, and future-focused dialogue to help clients envision positive change and recognize their own capabilities. This approach empowers clients to tap into their existing resources, increase motivation, and build confidence in their ability to overcome challenges.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I incorporate Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) into my clinical practice to help clients better understand the connection between their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.In sessions, I often use practical tools such as cognitive restructuring, thought tracking, and behavioral activation. These strategies support clients in making meaningful changes in their daily lives, improving mood, reducing anxiety, and increasing overall functioning.
Couples Counseling
I provide couples counseling using a collaborative, supportive, and structured approach designed to help partners strengthen their connection, improve communication, and navigate challenges together. My work is grounded in evidence-based practices, including Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), allowing me to tailor the experience to each couple’s unique needs. In sessions, I help couples identify patterns that may be creating distance or conflict, such as communication breakdowns, unmet needs, or emotional disconnection. Together, we work to build healthier ways of expressing thoughts and feelings, resolving conflict, and increasing understanding and empathy for one another.
Location
Virtual sessions