Leona obtained her Masters degree in Counseling at Liberty University and is a Licensed Counselor. She is a member of the American Counseling Association (ACA) and the North Carolina School Counseling Association (NCSCA). She is a North Carolina and International Licensed Teacher and has a Certificate in Education from St. Martin’s College in Lancaster, England. She has 22 years experience teaching in London, England and Public, Private, and Charter schools in North Carolina. She also has a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Waterloo, Canada. With her experience in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, School Based Counseling, and completing her internships both at Southlake Counseling and in North Carolina Schools, Leona is excited to offer clients:
DBT Skills Coaching for Individual and Groups;
504, IEP, BIP, MTSS Consultant;
Parent and Family Coaching;
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Teens Groups;
Mom’s Support Group;
Emotion Coaching;
Couples Coaching;
High conflict divorce/separation Coaching;
New Ways For Families Program;
Mental Health Coaching.

She is foundationally trained in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) through Behavioral Tech. created by Marsha Linehan. She works with DBT adolescent, parent, and adult groups, individual DBT skills, and Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction for Teens groups. She is a certified Symbis Facilitator which allows her to conduct couples therapy and assessment. She has been trained in Autism awareness, neurofeedback, brain mapping, seizure protocol, suicide prevention, and cyberbullying.

Her experience as a Clinician and an Educator have strengthened her skills to communicate and develop a rapport with parents, families, and students of all ages. These relationships are instrumental in confirming her desire to pursue a career in counseling. Leona has experience working in schools as an Educator and a School Counselor. She is Licensed in both fields and conducts 504 and IEP consultations with families and the school. She can work with the family and go through the steps and make sure the student’s needs are being met in the school environment. Packages are available.

She enjoys working with children 7 and up as well as teens, young adults, parents, adults, and families. She has experience working with anxiety, depression, suicide, personality disorder, post traumatic disorder, substance abuse, divorce/separation, neglect and abuse, childhood trauma, family dysfunction, grief, eating disorders, and self esteem. Her approach is using Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral therapy, Family therapy, Person Centered therapy, Solution-Based therapy, and mindfulness techniques. She uses her skills to assist clients on their journey of self-discovery, so they have positive self-esteem, independence, and strategies needed to tackle different issues. Her clients can feel reassured, cared for, and understood that their needs are a priority. She is compassionate and committed to helping others to achieve their goals and find fulfillment in their life’s journey.

When she is not working, she enjoys traveling, cooking, supporting her children in their sports activities, spending time with her family and playing with her dog, Chewy.