Curiosity about people and a desire to help those in need has always been a driving force in Leslie’s life.  Dedicating her professional life to assisting others toward insight and growth has proven to be the most gratifying to her.

Leslie was raised in Michigan and completed her undergraduate work at Olivet College in Michigan.  She received her Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology from Cleveland State University in Ohio.   Licensed as a Licensed Professional Counselor  (LPC) in Ohio, she worked in community mental health and private practice.

Leslie and her husband moved to New York in 1989 and Leslie joined a hospital staff to assist them in developing the family therapy component of a newly opened in-patient adolescent psychiatric unit. Licensed as a LMHC (Licensed Mental Health Counselor) and also a NCC (National Certified Counselor), Leslie spent 18 years working with adolescents and their families as a therapist at a co-educational residential treatment center in Jamestown, New York.  In addition to her work as a therapist, Leslie taught Psychology as an Adjunct Professor at Jamestown Community College.

Leslie has expertise in treating trauma, neglect, attachment disruption, sexual abuse and sexual deviancy. She utilizes a trauma-informed, psychodynamic and relational injury approach to treatment. Leslie has specialized training in emergency mental health, trauma-focused therapies, Post Induction Therapy, EMDR, Hypnosis, Trauma Release Exercise, NeuroAffective Relational Model (NARM), Neurofeedback, and Sensorimotor Psychotherapy.

After raising their four children, Leslie and her husband transitioned to the warmer climate of Arizona. Obtaining her Arizona licensure (LPC) Leslie was excited to join the Spring Ridge Academy team in June 2014.

Leslie finds her work with the students and their families at Spring Ridge Academy inspiring and she appreciates the opportunity to contribute to Spring Ridge Academy through her administrative responsibilities as Clinical Director.