- Stress and anxiety
- Addictions and grief
- CBT and ACT methods
About Leslie
Leslie Cates is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) practicing in Louisiana with 10 years of experience. She works with adults facing stress, anxiety, addictions, depression, relationship difficulties, grief, sleep problems, ADHD, and challenges that stem from early family dynamics and childhood experiences.
Leslie uses simple, direct conversation to help people clarify goals and make practical changes. She follows a client-centered approach where the person sets priorities and the counselor helps shape the path forward. Sessions focus on real problems and clear steps rather than labels or jargon.
She draws on methods such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to help people shift unhelpful thoughts and align actions with their values. Leslie also uses ideas from Dialectical Behavior Therapy and Emotionally-Focused Therapy when emotion regulation or relationship patterns are central concerns. These techniques are applied in ways that match each person's situation and preferences.
Many people come because patterns from their family of origin still affect daily life. Leslie helps clients notice those patterns, understand how they operate now, and practice different ways of responding. Work can include tackling codependency, communication problems, control issues, or lingering effects from abandonment and attachment wounds.
Her training includes a Master of Arts in Counseling completed in New Orleans in 2016. She aims to be straightforward in sessions and to focus on skills and insights people can use between visits.
Approaches used and how online sessions work
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people notice unhelpful thoughts and choose actions that match their values. It is useful when someone wants to act differently despite difficult feelings. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying and changing thought patterns that lead to distress, and it can help with anxiety, depression, sleep problems, and some addictive behaviors. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) offers practical skills for managing intense emotions and improving emotional regulation when reactions feel overwhelming.Finding the right approach is collaborative. Leslie will discuss options, try methods in session, and adjust based on what helps the client meet their goals. Clients and therapist decide together which techniques to emphasize and when to shift focus.
The therapist's biography does not specify session formats, so confirm current options before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy schedule, allow shorter check-ins when time is limited, and reduce travel time. It also lets people continue consistent care during life changes. Licensed professionals can adapt ACT, CBT, and DBT strategies to virtual sessions in ways that support progress and daily practice.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
10+ years
Listed in
Louisiana
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does she address?
Leslie works with stress, anxiety, depression, addictions, grief, self-esteem, relationship issues, and concerns tied to family of origin and childhood experiences.
What is her general approach in sessions?
She practices a client-centered style where the client sets goals. Sessions focus on conversation, skill-building, and practical steps informed by several therapeutic methods.
How much experience does she have?
Leslie has ten years of counseling experience and completed a Master of Arts in Counseling in New Orleans in 2016.
What are her credentials and where is she based?
She is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) licensed in Louisiana and practices from that state.
Does she work in other languages or with international clients?
Sessions are offered in English. She is not accepting international clients at this time.
What session formats are offered?
The original biography does not list specific session formats. Please confirm current session options before scheduling.
How does billing and cost work?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I get started with Leslie?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger, use the emergency numbers. Looking for someone else? Find them by surname.