Malissa Leach

LPCC, 10 years of experience
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New to Grow

VirtualAvailable

As a Caribbean immigrant of Afro-Indian descent, I am a culturally sensitive counselor whose work is deeply inspired by diverse faith, culture, and communal values. I strive to provide a transparent, warm, and nonjudgmental environment where every individual feels safe and seen. Over the past decade, I have dedicated my practice to supporting culturally diverse and underserved populations and/or those who may feel overlooked or misunderstood. My approach is rooted in active listening and tailored feedback; I do not view myself as an expert in a client's life, but rather as an objective, supportive collaborator. I treat every situation as unique, developing personalized treatment goals that prioritize the individual’s specific journey and well-being.

Get to know me

In our first session together, here's what you can expect

Our first session will typically last between 45–60 minutes. To begin, I will identify myself, explain the limits of confidentiality, and state my expectations for our work together. You as the client will then have an opportunity to respond and share your own expectations for the counseling process. Next, we will identify any current issues or stressors you are facing. I will also at that time gather necessary background information pertaining to your biological, psychological, sociological, and spiritual experiences to ensure a holistic understanding of your needs. Before we conclude, you will have the opportunity to develop a treatment plan outlining your specific counseling goals and objectives. We will also review the results of the GAD-7 and PHQ-9 assessments together.

The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions

Throughout my career, I have worked in a variety of settings, ranging from correctional facilities and hospitals to private agencies and practices. These experiences have taught me that humility is my greatest strength. I have found that there is no universal formula that works for everyone—even when disclosures, symptoms, goals, and objectives appear to be similar. Because of this, I truly value a collaborative approach over an "expert" role during our sessions. I believe that clients are the greatest historians of their own lives. By developing trust and a strong therapeutic alliance, we can work together to determine the best course of action to support clients through their past, current, and future circumstances.

The clients I'm best positioned to serve

To ensure the best therapeutic outcomes, my ideal client is someone ready to actively explore personal growth and who prefers a collaborative counselor-client dynamic. I work most effectively with individuals who are inquisitive, motivated, and value supportive interventions that encourage both accountability and independent work between our sessions.

SpecialtiesTop specialties

Anxiety

Depression

Other specialties

Military/Veterans

Serves ages
Licensed in

California

Accepts
Location
Virtual
My treatment methods

Christian Counseling

With five years of experience, I specialize in integrating Biblical-based Christian principles with clinical coping mechanisms to help believers navigate familial, career, financial, and personal conflicts. My approach allows clients to adaptively address depression, anxiety, and other stressors in a way that reflects their values and honors their commitment to Christ. In our sessions, individuals will explore the roots of their traumas, thought distortions, and maladaptive behavioral patterns. Together, we effectively process and navigate emotions using interventions supported by the Bible. My goal is to provide a safe, nonjudgmental space where clients can openly share the challenges they face in practicing their faith and explore any potential barriers to optimal living.

Couples Counseling

I have 7 years of experience providing pre- and post-marital couples counseling, focusing on teaching interpersonal effectiveness skills to improve communication, rebuilding trust after infidelity, evaluating relational health, and resolving interpersonal conflicts kindly and empathetically. Additionally, my work includes helping individuals understand the characteristics of their singleness and how those traits can be used complementarily and collaboratively to build a strong partnership. Pre-marital clients will also explore personal, familial, career, and financial goals individually and as a couple. I also specialize in reviewing generational trauma and other underlying issues that may impact the current state of a relationship. Finally, as a couple we will explore when, where, and how to establish boundaries that maintain safety.

Psychoeducation

Through visual aids, worksheets, and interactive interventions, clients will learn how biological, emotional, psychological, and environmental factors all play a vital role in processing experiences, regulating emotions, and coping with stressors. I will provide clients with intermittent homework assignments to track personal growth, progress, and accountability.

Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)

I have 10 years of experience utilizing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help clients identify and replace negative thought patterns, modify maladaptive behaviors, and improve emotion regulation. My clinical focus is on helping individuals develop adaptive coping mechanisms and gain realistic tools they can use independently between sessions to sustain their progress long-term.

New to Grow
This provider hasn’t received any written reviews yet. We started collecting written reviews January 1, 2025.