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Mary Emily Leavell
phd, lpc-s, registered play therapist

I received my doctorate from the University of Holy Cross and my Master of Education from Southeastern Louisiana University. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor, Nationally Certified Counselor, Certified Clinical Trauma Professional, and Registered Play Therapist. My experience is derived from years of working in psychiatric hospitals, agencies, university counseling centers, children's advocacy centers, and private practices. This combination of settings has prepared and led me to open my own counseling private practice so that I can reach people of all ages, needs, and histories who need help and healing.

 

I specialize in trauma and recovery as a result of my extensive experience with helping children and adults after they have experienced sexual abuse, physical abuse, emotional abuse, infant trauma, neglect, and exposure to violence. Trauma work often includes working with PTSD symptoms, relational difficulties, parenting difficulties, identity formation, integration work, grief and loss, and reconstruction of the self. My research pertains to the experience of female sexual abuse survivors who are able to find thriving.

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My aim is to provide support, safety, and empowering feedback to clients to assist in finding healing and inner peace. I integrate tools, techniques, and theories to provide a highly personalized approach that is tailored to each client. With empathy, intuition, and understanding, I help individuals build on strengths to find inner power and growth. 

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My Approach and Philosophy

I offer individual psychotherapy, family therapy, play therapy, consultations, and parenting sessions. I work with a variety of populations, including children (2-18), adolescents, young adults, and adults. I've received specialized training in trauma-informed approaches, play therapy, art therapy, cognitive therapy, and brain/body approaches. The opportunities I've experienced while training have provided me a basis to work with a wide variety of clients and issues. 

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I believe in practicing from a trauma informed approach, as all humans experience traumas throughout their lives. I work in an experiential, intuitive, and creative way while emphasizing collaboration between myself and my client to assist with discovery and exploration. I integrate complementary methodologies in a careful, intentional, and personalized way to fit my client's needs. I draw from Jungian, humanistic, and experiential psychotherapies while incorporating art, play, and body techniques (such as brainspotting) to reach a deep healing that surpasses cognition.  

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My aim is to provide an environment that embodies safety, security, and nurturing that encourages creativity, intuition, and awareness to flourish. This allows the client to explore and integrate in the comfort of the counseling room and to, later, transfer these processes actively in life. I emphasize openness, acceptance, empowerment, integration, and emotional regulation and believe that within the client lies the power to thrive after life difficulties. 

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I am devoted to helping children, teenagers, and adults find healing. I will support you in finding power and freedom in your life and body. Together we will journey to find empowerment, belonging, insight, awareness, and understanding. Through therapy, you can find connection to yourself and others, hope for the future, and profound growth.

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  • Depression

  • Anxiety and Fears

  • Relationship Difficulties

  • Life Transitions

  • Difficulties with Self-Esteem

  • Trauma

  • Parent Support and Education

  • Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

  • Professional/Career Issues

  • Cutting/ Suicidality

  • Medical and Health Concerns

  • Shame

  • Dissociation

  • Attention Deficit Disorder (ADHD)

  • Sexual Abuse

  • Spirituality

  • Women's Issues

  • Parenting Skills

  • Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)

  • Personality Disorders 

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