Gordon Leith
Hello, and welcome. I bring 36 years of experience as a licensed professional counselor (plus four years in the field of mental health prior to licensure), having worked in both inpatient and outpatient settings specializing in mental health, addiction, eating disorders, and general psychiatric conditions. Alongside my work in treatment facilities, I have maintained a private practice for the full span of my career, giving me a deep, varied perspective on how people heal and grow. My current focus includes behavioral change, addiction treatment, communication skills, life coaching, and business consulting. I'm also trained in hypnosis and in critical incident stress debriefing and management, and I have extensive experience supporting military personnel and federal public safety agencies in the aftermath of critical incidents. This background has given me a steady, grounded approach to working with people navigating high-stress, high-stakes situations, as well as those facing everyday life challenges.
My work with federal agencies and critical incident situations has honed my ability to help people navigate crisis and trauma while building resilience for the future.
Whatever brings you to counseling, my goal is simple: I want you to leave every session feeling better than when you arrived. I bring both clinical expertise and genuine care to our work together, and I strive to create a space where you feel heard, respected, and equipped with real tools for change. I look forward to the opportunity to work with you.
First session
In our first session, we'll focus on understanding what brings you to counseling and what you hope to achieve. This is a safe space to share your current challenges while we explore your background at a comfortable pace. I'll explain my approach and discuss strategies that have helped others in similar situations. This initial meeting isn't about intensive treatment—it's about getting to know each other and understanding your unique needs and goals. Together, we'll identify what matters most and begin mapping out what our work might look like. I'll offer practical tools you can use right away, so you'll leave with something tangible. By the end, you'll have a clearer sense of direction and we'll outline realistic next steps that feel manageable. Most importantly, you'll feel heard, understood, and confident that positive change is possible. This first session builds trust and hope as you take this courageous step toward feeling better. I'm here to support you every step of the way.
Strengths
My 36 years of experience across inpatient, outpatient, and private practice settings gives me a unique perspective on what actually works for lasting change. I've walked alongside thousands of clients through their recovery journeys, which allows me to quickly recognize effective strategies tailored to each person's unique situation rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all approach. What makes my approach distinctive is my focus on practical, cost-effective solutions that leverage community support systems. Many clients are surprised to discover how many powerful resources are available to them at little or no cost. I know these resources intimately, and I know how to help you access and use them effectively, so that meaningful support doesn't depend solely on the therapy room. I specialize in working with motivated individuals who feel stuck or aren't sure where to start. My strength lies in taking complex, overwhelming challenges and breaking them down into manageable, actionable steps that build momentum toward lasting results. Progress doesn't have to happen all at once; it happens one solid step at a time, and I help clients find that rhythm. My work with military personnel, federal public safety agencies, and critical incident situations has sharpened my ability to help people navigate crisis and trauma while building genuine resilience for the future. This background isn't just for extreme situations, it translates directly into practical, real-world skills for everyday stress management, difficult transitions, and the kind of steady coping that serves people long after a session ends. Ultimately, my approach stands out because it combines deep clinical experience with a genuinely practical, resourceful mindset. I don't just help you understand your challenges, I help you build a concrete path through them, using every tool and resource available to make lasting change achievable.
Ideal clients
I specialize in helping clients with building self-esteem and confidence, overcoming depression and imposter syndrome, navigating work difficulties, and addressing addictions. I'm particularly passionate about working with motivated individuals struggling with addiction who feel lost about where to begin their recovery journey but remain open to trying new approaches. I have extensive experience with proven, cost-effective strategies that utilize community support systems. Having worked with thousands of clients facing addiction and mental health challenges, I understand both the available community resources and the counseling strategies that produce lasting results. You're an ideal fit for my practice if you're ready to make changes but need guidance on where to start, value evidence-based approaches, and are interested in leveraging community support as part of your healing process.
Treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
Primarily a cognitive behavioral therapist, I blend various therapeutic models that enhance my effectiveness in helping clients. Blended Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (B-CBT): This innovative approach combines traditional face-to-face CBT sessions with web-based self-help modules. B-CBT offers benefits from both in-person therapy and internet-based CBT, such as individual adaptation, wider availability, and potentially lower implementation barriers. Third-Wave CBT Approaches: These emerging models address perceived limitations of CBT. Examples include: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): Focused on accepting difficult emotions and values-based actions. Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT): Integrates mindfulness, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness. Metacognitive Therapy: Targets maladaptive thought processes and metacognitions. Video-based BC-CBT further improves accessibility. Similarities among these therapies and other models of counseling are Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy, Cognitive Therapy, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy, all of which share common therapeutic methodologies. Concepts like metacognition, acceptance, mindfulness, personal values, and spirituality are woven into these approaches.
Location
Virtual sessions