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ABOUT
Learn More About Leanna
Life Dances is the metaphor for my perspective of our successes and challenges: we all have our own unique, authentic dance that we dance in our relationships. We often learn how to dance through life from our parents, teachers, friends, social influences, community leaders, religious guides. We can sometimes lose our own unique rhythm, or get stuck dancing the same moves over and over, but I believe there are many ways to nurture and develop our dance, to living a purposeful life, full of joy, connection, and movement.
As a mother of young adults and a teen, and as a wife, I continue to nurture my own family relationships with the same pivotal work that I share with individuals and families. I know first hand that relationships are complex, fragile, and require attention and energy. I also believe and feel strongly that these relationships are worth the effort and offer us an incredible ability to evolve and deepen our connections to ourselves and others.
Therapeutic Approaches
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Transpersonal Psychology,
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Person Centered focus,
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Positive Psychology,
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Bowen Family Systems,
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Internal Family Systems,
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Somatic Therapy,
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Cognitive Behavioural Therapy,
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Dialectic Behavioural Therapy.
Each client responds differently to these approaches, and we will lean into those therapeutic approaches that best support you to overcome blocks, navigate challenges, and move through stuckness. Counselling is collaborative in that the client and counsellor communicate and reflect together on what feels most helpful to the client’s wellness and goals.
I draw on my diverse background of high school teaching, coaching sports, my PhD in Education, teaching of pre-service teachers, and the transpersonal, experiential counsellor training from Clearmind International.
Surviving Teenagehood: Leanna’s Story
For me, being a teenager was a stage in my life to survive. I struggled in my relationships at home, from painful arguments with my dad and mom, having trouble connecting with my sister, and painfully losing friendships. All the while, I worked hard to achieve everything I could while still feeling down deep that nothing was really proving that I was good enough. Under my smile – or sometimes my hidden anger – hid confusion, fear, and loneliness that I didn’t know how to express.
As a parent, I recall my own moment of anger swelling inside of me as I thought about how my daughter had just behaved, the secrets and lies. My body tightened and my jaw clenched. Inside I was panicking as I fearfully wondered, “Who is this child? How will I ever learn to trust her again? How could the gap between us get so big?”
Less Struggle, More Thriving:
My Healing Lessons
I didn’t want to continue living out these same painful patterns for myself or for my children. My healing involved giving a voice to that teenage part of myself that never got to express herself. I began bringing awareness to the beliefs and values that held me back from stepping closer to my daughter.
These shifts began by being right where I was, exactly who I was, with my struggles and imperfections.
With guidance and support and my own willingness I was able to get to know myself better and learn how to share myself more with the people I love. Most importantly, I learned that my struggles don’t have to continue. There are options available in every moment. I just needed to learn the tools, strategies, and possibilities.
Importance of NOW:
Helping Parents and Teens Transform Crisis
During this stage of life, youth and young adults make major decisions that are based on how they understand themselves and the world. These decisions can affect the rest of their lives. If their unhealthy perspectives and understandings are left unaddressed, these beliefs and values can leave a profound impact on their lives and future generations.
As parents we might be tempted to close our eyes and hope these upsets and choices go away with time. However, I can’t stress how critical it is for youth and families to address these issues today.
Teenagehood as an Opportunity for Evolution
Teenagehood does not have to be a time of ongoing conflict and crisis. It can be a time of opportunity and evolution. Teens and parents can get to know themselves better and gain more confidence, trust, and closeness. Parents and teens have huge potential and invaluable gifts within themselves. This includes the inner resources to know themselves deeply, consider new possibilities, and make choices that will lead them to enjoy a purposeful life, and engage in meaningful relationships. This path can begin now.
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