Leslie Cates , LPC

Leslie Cates is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) practicing in Louisiana with ten years of clinical experience. She holds a Master of Arts in Counseling, earned in December 2016 in New Orleans, and has worked with people facing a wide range of concerns, including depression, anxiety, stress, major life changes, low self-esteem, codependency, addictions, relationship difficulties, PTSD, grief and loss, childhood trauma, and the aftermath of abusive relationships.

Her therapeutic approach is warm and interactive, grounded in respect, sensitivity, and compassion. She practices from a client-centered framework, allowing each person to set their own goals and direction while she tailors dialogue and treatment plans to meet individual needs. Her work is strengths-based and solutions-focused, drawing on multiple evidence-informed modalities such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, with additional techniques from Dialectical Behavior Therapy and Cognitive Processing Therapy when trauma processing or emotion regulation skills are needed.

Leslie aims to help clients shift unhelpful thoughts toward more realistic and encouraging perspectives while fostering purposeful acceptance and a willingness to create meaningful change. She supports people through the courage it takes to seek help and to pursue a more fulfilling life, offering compassionate guidance and practical strategies to empower lasting progress.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care

Leslie often uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), which helps people clarify their values, accept difficult internal experiences, and take committed action toward meaningful goals. ACT can be useful for anxiety, stress, and coping with life changes. She also employs Client-Centered Therapy, a collaborative approach that emphasizes empathy, respect, and the client’s own goals, supporting growth through a trusting therapeutic relationship. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is another core tool in her practice - CBT focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors and is effective for issues such as depression, anxiety, and sleep difficulties.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic journey. Leslie works collaboratively with each person to determine which methods align with their needs, goals, and personal preferences, and she adjusts strategies over time as progress and priorities evolve.

Online therapy makes these approaches accessible through flexible formats - video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging - so clients can connect in ways that fit their schedules and comfort levels. This flexibility supports consistent care during life transitions, busy schedules, or when in-person sessions are not practical, allowing licensed professionals to deliver focused, goal-oriented work across a range of concerns.