Leslie Taylor

I have a passion for working with adults at every stage…young adults, midlife, and later life adults. I know it takes a lot of courage to even step into therapy, and I don’t take that lightly. Whether you’re figuring out a career change, going through a big life shift, or working through stuff from your past, my goal is to build a genuine connection with you. From there, we can work together on healing, building resilience, and finding a stronger sense of yourself.

I specialize in supporting individuals who are navigating anxiety, depression, life transitions, later life concerns, complex trauma, dissociative identity disorder, bipolar disorder, gender identity exploration, and substance use challenges.

My style is often described as ‘direct,’ which means I’m present, engaged, and interactive. I want our conversations to be an honest back-and-forth where you feel understood and supported. Whatever you’re carrying, you don’t have to go through it alone.

Starting therapy can feel kinda awkward—like, “Am I really supposed to spill my whole life story to someone I just met?” Totally get it. That’s why in the beginning, we’re not diving into deep, heavy stuff right away. Instead, we’ll just hang out a bit—maybe play a card game, do something creative, or just chat about random things. The point is to actually get to know each other and keep things low-pressure. It’s about finding some common ground, sharing a few laughs, and making sure you feel comfortable before we get into anything more personal.

After that, we can figure out where to go together. Being a teenager is kinda weird—you’re not a little kid anymore, but you’re also not fully an adult. And life right now can feel like a lot: school stress, scary world events, social media, tech drama—it all piles up. The way you and your friends deal with this stuff isn’t the same as how adults do, and therapy should match that.

This isn’t about giving you more to worry about. Our sessions are your space to slow down, feel heard, and get some real-life tools to handle what’s on your plate. Think of it as building skills to help you stress less, bounce back quicker, and feel more confident about where you’re headed. And it’s all at your pace, on your terms, with an adult who has no agenda or judgement…just a desire to be in your corner.

Whether you’re wanting to build a deeper connection, navigating a crisis like infidelity, or just trying to figure out how to have conversations where you actually feel heard and understood—I’m here to help you get there.

My work with couples is rooted in the Gottman Method, and I also draw from Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Narrative Therapy, and Attachment Theory. With these approaches, I partner with couples to both understand the challenges they’re facing, uncover the strengths already present in their relationship, and get clear on what they truly want for their future together.

That clarity is an important step—most people know what they don’t want, but struggle to put words to what they do want. By focusing on what is wanted…we can begin to move away from the problems that caused the wounds, and towards solutions that will heal your relationship.

From there, we work together to break unhelpful patterns while also building new ones that strengthen your bond. This might look like creating shared goals for your life together, learning healthier ways to manage conflict, and discovering more meaningful ways to connect in everyday moments.

It’s an honor to hold space for your relationship, whether you’re working through pain, leaning into growth, or both. My commitment is to support you in creating a stronger, more fulfilling partnership where you feel understood and connected.

I truly enjoy working with couples preparing for marriage or long-term commitment. Premarital counseling is such a meaningful opportunity to strengthen your bond and build a shared foundation for the future. In our sessions, we’ll explore how you communicate, manage conflict, and express love—drawing from Gottman principles to foster healthy patterns and understanding.

Using Emotionally Focused techniques, we’ll look beneath the surface to better understand your emotional needs and deepen your connection. I also integrate mindfulness practices to help you stay grounded and intentional with each other.

Together, we’ll talk about the vision you have for your life as a couple and navigate important topics—like finances, family, intimacy, and values—that can sometimes feel uncomfortable to tackle on your own. My goal is to help you both grow in trust, compassion, and confidence as you move forward together.

I offer discernment counseling for couples who feel uncertain about the future of their relationship—where one partner may be leaning toward separation while the other hopes to repair and rebuild. Based on the model developed by Dr William Doherty and Elizabeth Doherty Thomas MS, this approach is designed to help couples gain clarity and confidence about the next step for their relationship, whether that’s pursuing reconciliation or moving toward separation with understanding and respect.

In our sessions, we’ll take things one step at a time, creating a calm and supportive space where each partner can be truly heard. We’ll explore what’s brought you to this point, what each of you has already tried, and what you both envision for your future—both together and individually. Using Gottman-informed insights, Emotionally Focused techniques, and mindfulness practices, I help couples communicate with compassion and curiosity rather than blame or defensiveness. Generally, this process is encompassed in 5-6 sessions.

Discernment counseling isn’t about fixing the relationship right away—it’s about slowing down, understanding what’s really happening, and making thoughtful, intentional choices. My goal is to support you both in finding clarity, honesty, and peace in whatever direction you choose to move forward.

I also work with couples who have made the difficult decision to separate or divorce. This can be an emotional and deeply personal time, filled with both grief and growth. My goal is to help both partners move through this transition with compassion, clarity, and respect. Using Emotionally Focused and mindfulness-based practices, I create a supportive space where each person can process their emotions, communicate more effectively, and find a sense of closure that honors the relationship you’ve shared.

For couples with children, we’ll focus on building a cooperative co-parenting relationship and navigating conversations with your children in a way that is age-appropriate, supportive, and reassuring. Whether you’re managing practical challenges or the emotional process of letting go, I’m here to help you move forward with intention and care, creating a foundation for healing and new beginnings.