Geraldine Leary, LCSW

Geraldine Leary is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) based in Arizona with 30 years of experience helping people navigate overwhelming and persistent life challenges. She approaches therapy with the belief that most people already carry the resources they need to meet difficult situations and focuses on helping clients uncover those inner strengths through clear, practical support. Geraldine meets individuals where they are, offering a calm, nonjudgmental space and tools to quiet the mind, stay present, and identify concrete steps toward the outcomes they want.

Her work draws from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, mindfulness practices, solution-focused methods, and a philosophy of dealing with life on life?s terms, and she adapts an eclectic approach to fit each person?s needs. She has extensive experience in individual, group, family, and couples counseling across outpatient, residential, in-home, and inpatient settings, and has worked with people ages 12 to 95. Geraldine listens for strengths, patterns, and the internal dialogue that shapes a person?s story to help guide meaningful change.

She values being present and respectful and can be challenging in a "carefrontational" way that feels safe. Geraldine collaborates with clients to create realistic plans and achievable goals, and she welcomes the decision to seek support and begin the work together.

Therapeutic Approaches and Remote Care

Geraldine Leary uses several evidence-informed approaches to support clients in an online setting. Client-centered therapy emphasizes a respectful, nonjudgmental relationship where the therapist follows the client?s lead to build insight and confidence - this approach is helpful for people seeking a collaborative, strengths-based process. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thoughts and behaviors; it is often useful for depression, anxiety, and managing stress by teaching practical skills and stepwise strategies. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) combines acceptance and change techniques to improve emotional regulation and coping, and can be effective for intense emotions, relationship difficulties, and patterns of impulsive behavior.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process, and Geraldine works collaboratively with each person to select methods that match their needs, goals, and preferences. She treats the choice of strategy as a joint decision and adjusts the plan over time based on progress and feedback.

Online therapy offers flexible ways to engage - video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging allow clients to connect from home, work, or while traveling. These options increase accessibility and make it easier to maintain consistent care with licensed professionals while fitting therapy into busy lives.