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LL Portrait of Leslie Libutti

Leslie Libutti

Collaborative, compassionate care for life transitions

LCSW California

Experience
20 years in practice
Focus areas
Stress, Anxiety, Grief, Self esteem
Approaches
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Client-Centered Therapy
Languages
English

About Leslie

Leslie Libutti is a California licensed clinical social worker with two decades of experience helping people navigate stress, anxiety, grief, low self-esteem, depression, and major life changes.

Background and approach

She draws on a client-centered stance that emphasizes listening and collaboration, helping clients clarify goals, recognize personal strengths, and strengthen coping skills. Her practice blends practical thought-focused techniques with reflective inquiry to address emotional and motivational barriers.

Leslie often guides clients to notice self-imposed obstacles and, through careful exploration, to move past them. She acknowledges that change can bring discomfort as well as relief, and she frames the therapeutic path as one that may be challenging, sometimes painful, but also often joyful and revealing.

Poetry is another resource she brings into sessions when appropriate, using literary material to deepen emotional insight and self-understanding. Throughout her work she aims to support people in reclaiming a sense of agency and purpose, helping them build sustainable coping strategies and greater self-compassion.

Leslie describes therapy as a collaborative process that honors each person’s experience while offering evidence-informed methods to foster growth and resilience.

Approaches for Online Growth and Insight



Leslie integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help identify and change unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors, often useful for anxiety, depression, and stress-related difficulties. She also uses Client-Centered Therapy to create a compassionate, nonjudgmental space where the client's own goals and values guide the work; this approach supports self-exploration and strengthens personal resources.

Finding the right therapeutic approach is part of the process and will be determined collaboratively. The therapist will assess a client’s needs, preferences, and goals and then tailor intervention strategies, combining techniques as appropriate to make sure the work fits the person rather than forcing a single method.

Online therapy with Leslie is available via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, offering flexibility for different schedules and comfort levels. These formats make it easier to continue care during life transitions and allow clients to engage in therapy from locations that suit them, while maintaining consistent access to licensed professionals and the collaborative therapeutic relationship.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does Leslie commonly address?
She works with stress, anxiety, grief, self-esteem struggles, depression, and coping with life changes, along with related topics such as caregiver stress, body image, and isolation.
What is her therapeutic style and approach?
Her style is collaborative and client-centered, combining Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with existential inquiry to help clients clarify goals and shift unhelpful patterns.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She brings 20 years of professional experience working with a wide range of emotional and life transition concerns in California.
What credentials and licensure does she hold and where is she located?
She is licensed as an LCSW in California with licence number CA LCSW LCSW22713 and practices in California.
Does she offer sessions in languages other than English or accept international clients?
Sessions are conducted in English and she is not currently accepting international clients.
Which session formats are available with her?
She offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to accommodate different communication preferences.
How are fees handled for therapy with her?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions are provided through a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What steps are involved in getting started?
Begin by selecting the Start Therapy button, completing a short matching questionnaire, and then scheduling sessions according to therapist availability.

Areas of expertise

Additional focus areas

Aging and geriatric issuesBody imageCaregiver issues and stressCodependencyCommunication problemsControl issuesForgivenessGuilt and shameHospice and end-of-life counselingIsolation / lonelinessLife purposeSelf-loveWomen's issues

Therapeutic approaches

Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Existential Therapy

Experience

20+ years

Licensed

California

Languages

English