About Leslie

A woman with short brown hair, smiling, sitting on a brown leather couch in a room with a colorful landscape painting on the wall behind her.

This work has softened and strengthened me. Sitting with people in their most tender, honest places — holding space for grief, courage, and becoming — has widened my heart and deepened my gratitude for the experience of being human. I am continually touched by the people who trust me with their stories. Thank you.

From a young age I had profound spirit of inquiry into the nature of human suffering, as well as the ways suffering can lead us to genuine kindness, wisdom, and generosity—awakening us to deeper connection and capacity to live joyfully.

My focus in therapeutic work isn’t on eliminating suffering, but on cultivating an available presence toward it through an open, compassionate heart.

My professional training began in 2009 as teacher of yoga, exploring meditation, mindfulness, breathwork, and moving with the natural flow of energy. In 2010, I became a licensed massage and bodywork therapist (LMBT) deepening my understanding of physiology and the subtle energetic systems of the body. Wanting to offer a more comprehensive approach in work with clients, I returned to school in 2016 for my masters degree and became a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW).

My intention during therapy sessions is to create a supportive and nurtuting space that honors each person’s pain and joy. I have a gentle, direct, and relational approach. I am based in Boulder CO and see clients virtually through out Colorado and North Carolina.

influential trainings and studies

  • Richard Swartz and Susan McConnell: SIFS: Somatic Internal Family Systems - somatic awareness, conscious breathing, radical resonance, mindful movement, and attuned touch (Trained in 2024)

  • Peter Levine: Somatic Experiencing (Trained 2016 - 2019)

  • Stephen J. Terrell: Transforming the Experienced-Based Brain(TEB). Trauma integrating Transforming Touch for repairing early ruptures in attachment (Trained 2019-2022)

  • Deborah Kennard: developer of Somatic and Attachment Focused (SAFE) EMDR (Trained 2019 - 2023)

  • Thomas Hubl: integrating mysticism and science; embodied presence (Trained 2024)

  • Pema Chodron: Beloved Buddhist teacher, nun, author, and has devoted her life to inspiring people to awaken (Bodhisattva training 2010)

  • Tara Brach: psychologist, author, teacher, and proponent of buddhist meditation- MBSR (Trained 2014)

  • Richard Rudd: Teacher, mystic, award winner poet, and founder and author of Gene Keys (self-study 2023)

  • Kathy Kain: Specializing in Somatic Resiliency and Regulation (Advanced SE 2020)

  • Janina Fisher: Specializing in Dissociative and Fragmented Parts (Trained 2018)

  • Deb Dana: Polyvagal Theory Stephen Porges: The PolyVagal Theory and Safe Sound Protocol (Trained 2021)

  • Animas Valley Trainings (Vision Quest 2025)

  • Carl Jung: Awakening the unconscious (self-study 2021)

  • Gabor Mate: Attachment and Authenticity: to understand addiction (self- study 2020)

  • Henri Nouwen: Priest and author who called for both radical forgiveness and disciplined accountability (self-study 2009)

  • Diane Poole Heller: Attachment and Relationships (Trained 2018)

  • Dan Siegel: Attachment Theory—Interpersonal Neurobiology approach to relationships, mind and brain functioning (self-study 2018)

  • Pat Ogden: Sensorimotor Psychotherapy (Trained 2020)

  • Brene Brown: On Imperfection, Belonging, and Shame (self-study 2015)

  • MAPS: study of psychedelic-assisted therapy (Trained 2021)

  • Allison Dennis: Teacher of yoga dedicated to the foundational texts of yoga, language of Sanskrit, chanting and sadhana, Vedic Astrologer, musician and sound healer (500hr training 2013-2014)

  • Janice Durand: Experienced teacher of polarity therapy and energy-based bodywork and movement (Training 2012-2025)

  • Tom Myers: developer of Anatomy Trains, an anatomical study of the myofascial meridian structure in the physical body (Trained 2010)

Resilience is built by increasing your felt sense of safety so your suffering can be used as a catalyst for growth, turning pain into wisdom, and opening to intimacy not yet known.