- Values-based work
- Relaxation coaching
- Practical coping skills
About Leslie
Leslie Ellwood is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Pennsylvania who brings a calm, kind presence to therapy. She greets people with warmth and a belief that most people have strengths to build on. Her way of working is straightforward and practical. She aims to listen first and then help clients set small steps toward feeling better.
Leslie uses a mix of approaches so sessions fit each person's needs. She draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and Client-Centered principles. She also teaches relaxation skills like progressive muscle relaxation, guided imagery, and paced breathing. Exercise and movement are encouraged as tools to support emotional recovery.
Her background includes a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Master’s degree in Counseling from the University of Pittsburgh. She has worked in hospitals, schools, and rehabilitation settings, and has experience in disability case management and account management. She brings 12 years of clinical experience to counseling, shaped by a longer career in related roles.
People contact Leslie for help with stress, anxiety, grief, and depression. She also supports those facing relationship strain, parenting challenges, workplace stress, compassion fatigue, and coping with life changes. Her practice notes coping with natural or human-caused disaster among focus areas when relevant to a client’s needs.
In sessions she keeps language plain and action focused. She helps clients identify values, try practical coping skills, and practice breathing or relaxation exercises. Her aim is to guide people toward manageable changes and clearer next steps.
How Leslie’s approaches translate to online work
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy helps people notice unhelpful thoughts, clarify what matters to them, and take small action steps toward those values. It is often used for anxiety, stress, and life changes. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy focuses on identifying and testing thoughts and behaviors that maintain distress, then trying different responses to reduce symptoms and improve daily functioning.Leslie treats finding the right approach as a team effort. She will talk with each person about goals, what has helped before, and practical needs. Together they decide which techniques to try and adjust as work progresses, keeping the plan flexible and focused on usable steps.
If you are considering online therapy, confirm current session formats before booking. The content and techniques Leslie uses - values work, thought testing, relaxation coaching, and behavior planning - adapt well to remote sessions. Online work can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy week, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and reduce travel time. It also makes it possible to practice skills between meetings in everyday settings. Confirm which session options are offered when you schedule so you know what to expect.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
12+ years
Credentials
Pennsylvania
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does Leslie commonly help with?
She works with stress, anxiety, grief, depression, relationship strain, parenting worries, workplace problems, and coping with life changes. Coping with natural or human-caused disaster is listed among her focus areas when it applies to a person's situation.
What is Leslie’s therapeutic style like?
Her style is client-centered and practical. She blends CBT, ACT, DBT, and client-centered techniques and teaches relaxation exercises and breathing skills to manage symptoms.
What experience does she bring to sessions?
Leslie has 12 years of counseling experience and additional years working in hospital, school, and rehabilitation settings. She has also worked in disability case management and account management.
Where is Leslie located and what are her credentials?
She is based in Pennsylvania and holds the LPC credential, which stands for Licensed Professional Counselor.
Which languages are supported in sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can people from other countries work with her?
She does not accept international clients at this time.
How are fees and billing handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability, and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with Leslie?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, completing a short matching questionnaire, and then scheduling according to therapist availability.