Name: Leslie E. York, MA, LPC
Licensing Info: Licensed Professional Counselor [LPC], NC, License# 10085
Where You Live: Wilmington, NC
Hometown: Athens, OH
Time working at Talkspace: seven months
Time working as a therapist: I have been a therapist for three years
Why are you working in therapy/mental health?
I wanted to become a therapist because I love people. I love learning about people, I love talking to people and I love helping people.
Why did you want to work with Talkspace?
I wanted to work with Talkspace for a few reasons. I have been keeping an eye on the company since I first heard about it a few years ago. When I realized Dr. Yalom was involved, I was sold. He’s one of my heroes and the person who taught me it is OK to let my clients know they matter to me.
There is such a movement away from that philosophy in many of the settings where I have practiced, and I find that really disheartening. The fact that Talkspace embraces therapists forming authentic relationships with our clients means a lot to me. Also, I’m a new mom of twins and I wanted to have the opportunity to spend more time at home with them. Win/win!
What has made you feel the most pride in your work?
I feel the most pride in my work when a client tells me they feel they can open up to me, or that me “being there” for them means a lot. I feel pride when I can tell a client is having a perspective shift or an “a-ha” moment. I am very proud of the work I am doing with Talkspace because I love being part of an organization that is making it possible for so many people to access help who may not have been able to otherwise.
Can you think of a specific moment that was inspiring?
I am inspired every day! I have the privilege and honor to work with the most dynamic and diverse clients! I am blown away by their everyday acts of courage: having the guts to reach out and ask for help, and then to tell me their story and trust me to walk with them on their journey to discovering a new way of looking at their experiences.
I am also inspired by reading through Slack every day — the clinical meetings especially. I always come away with so much pride and inspiration. I have access to the best clinical team in the country and I consider my colleagues to be the elite of the mental health world! How did I get so lucky?
Why is what you do important?
What I do is important because there is still a stigma attached to asking for help and to mental illness in general. I want to help end that. There
There is no reason why someone who is hurt and suffering should not be able to talk to someone, yet there are so many barriers to getting help. Stigma, cost, insurance co-pays, scheduling, transportation, etc – These are all barriers that keep people from asking for help. My work with Talkspace is helping to remove some of barriers. We are making a huge dent in those barriers and that is incredibly important. Therapy for all!
If you had one piece of advice for a therapy-seeker, what would it be?
My one piece of advice to someone seeking therapy would be this: You won’t know if it will help if you don’t try and if you don’t try it definitely won’t help. You’re not alone.
Note: You will need to sign up for Talkspace to continue chatting with Leslie or any other Talkspace therapist. Make sure you live in the same state as Leslie before you choose her.
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