Leslie Cates, LPC

Leslie Cates is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Louisiana with 10 years of experience helping people navigate a wide range of emotional and life challenges. She earned a Master of Arts in Counseling in December 2016 in New Orleans, LA, and brings a warm, interactive approach to therapy that emphasizes respect, sensitivity, and compassion. Leslie works collaboratively with clients facing depression, anxiety, stress, major life changes, low self-esteem, codependency, addictions, relationship concerns, PTSD, grief and loss, and the effects of childhood trauma and abusive relationships.

Her practice is client-centered and strengths-based, meaning clients set the goals and Leslie tailors conversations and treatment plans to meet each person’s unique needs. She blends solution-focused work with evidence-informed techniques, drawing on Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy to shift unhelpful thinking patterns and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to foster purposeful acceptance and committed action. Leslie also integrates interventions from Cognitive Processing Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy to help people process traumatic experiences and better manage intense emotions.

Leslie avoids stigmatizing labels and aims to create a supportive space where clients can build realistic, encouraging perspectives and practical coping strategies. She recognizes the courage it takes to seek change and is dedicated to supporting and empowering those ready to take that step.

Practical Therapeutic Approaches for Online Care

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps clients clarify their values and commit to actions that support a meaningful life, while teaching skills to allow uncomfortable thoughts and feelings without getting stuck. It is often useful for stress, anxiety, and coping with life changes.

Client-Centered Therapy focuses on creating an empathetic, nonjudgmental relationship in which the client guides the pace and goals of therapy. This approach supports self-discovery and is well suited to concerns like self-esteem, relationship issues, and grief.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) targets patterns of thinking and behavior that contribute to distress, offering practical tools to reframe unhelpful thoughts and develop healthier habits. CBT is commonly applied for depression, anxiety, sleep difficulties, and many everyday challenges.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process, and Leslie works collaboratively with each person to determine which methods fit their needs, goals, and preferences. Together they explore what feels most helpful and adjust the plan over time.

Online therapy with a licensed professional offers flexibility and accessibility - sessions can take place by video call, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging - making it easier to fit care into busy schedules, manage ongoing treatment between sessions, and connect from different locations.