Leslie Cates

Compassionate counseling with practical tools

LPC Louisiana

Experience: 10 years in practice
Focus areas: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Grief
Approaches: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Languages: English

About Leslie

Leslie Cates is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Louisiana who focuses on helping people navigate stress, anxiety, addiction, grief, depression, and life transitions. With ten years of clinical experience, she works from a collaborative, strengths-based stance that emphasizes respect and compassion while avoiding stigmatizing labels.

Background and approach

Leslie combines practical skill-building with acceptance-oriented strategies to support clients as they pursue clearer thinking and more workable coping skills. Her approach is grounded in client-centered principles, meaning clients set goals and she tailors treatment to fit each person's priorities and pace.

Leslie draws from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to address unhelpful thought patterns and from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to encourage purposeful acceptance and value-driven action. She also uses techniques from Dialectical Behavior Therapy and trauma-focused interventions when processing difficult emotional experiences.

Leslie frames therapy as a partnership aimed at empowerment and meaningful change. She welcomes clients who are ready to take steps toward improved wellbeing and offers practical tools and empathic guidance to help them move forward.

Therapeutic Approaches for Online Work

Leslie commonly integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy into online work. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy focuses on identifying and adjusting unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors to reduce distress and improve problem solving, which can help with anxiety, depression, and stress. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy emphasizes developing psychological flexibility by accepting difficult internal experiences while committing to actions consistent with personal values, which can support coping with chronic difficulties and life transitions.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process, and Leslie treats that as a collaborative exploration. She will work with clients to determine which strategies and combination of methods best match their goals, preferences, and the challenges they bring, adjusting the plan as progress and needs evolve.

Online therapy options include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging, offering flexibility for different schedules and comfort levels. These formats make it easier to fit regular sessions into busy lives and to access therapeutic support from home or other convenient locations while maintaining engagement in ongoing work.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does Leslie commonly address?

Leslie works with a broad range of issues including stress, anxiety, addictions, grief, self-esteem, depression, relationship and family difficulties, trauma and abuse, sleep problems, anger, career matters, bipolar disorder, and coping with life changes.

What is Leslie's therapeutic style like?

Her style is warm, interactive, and strengths-based. She emphasizes respect and sensitivity while adapting conversations and interventions to each client's goals.

How much clinical experience does she have?

She has ten years of experience providing counseling and psychotherapy services in Louisiana and elsewhere.

What credentials and location are listed for this therapist?

Leslie holds the LPC credential and is licensed in Louisiana under LA LPC 7033.

Which languages are available for sessions and can international clients participate?

Sessions are offered in English, and she is not accepting international clients at this time.

In what formats are sessions offered?

Therapy can be conducted via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to accommodate different preferences.

How are fees and billing handled?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability, and sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.

What are the first steps to begin working together?

To get started, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, Anxiety Addictions Grief Self esteem Depression

Also works with

Relationship issuesFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseSleeping disordersAnger managementCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderCoping with life changes Compassion fatigue ADHD

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentAging and geriatric issuesAttachment issuesAutism and Asperger SyndromeBody imageCaregiver issues and stressChronic pain, illness, and disabilityCo-morbidityCodependencyCommitment issuesCommunication problemsControl issuesDependent personalityDissociationDrug and alcohol addictionEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsForgivenessGuilt and shameHospice and end-of-life counselingImpulsivity Isolation / loneliness Mood disorders Obsessions, compulsions, and OCD Panic disorder and panic attacks Phobias Post-traumatic stressProcess addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-harmSelf-loveSexual assault and abuseSmoking / vaping cessationSocial anxiety and phobiaSomatizationWomen's issuesWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)Mindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingNarrative TherapySolution-Focused TherapySomatic TherapyTrauma-Focused TherapyInternal Family Systems

Experience

10+ years

Licensed

Louisiana

Languages

English