Sheet 1
- Stress and anxiety
- Trauma and grief
- Group and individual
About Lesley
Lesley Gustafson, M.A., LMHC, is a licensed mental health counselor in Massachusetts with 39 years of clinical experience. She primarily helps people with stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief, mood disorders, addictions, anger, and coping with life changes. Sessions draw on evidence-based therapeutic techniques and include both individual and group formats as part of her background.
She has extensive experience in inpatient psychiatric settings and has served with the Red Cross Disaster Mental Health Team. That background means she has worked with people coping with acute crisis, PTSD, and severe mood symptoms. She also has experience with psychotic disorders and supporting recovery after traumatic events.
Her practice includes work with first responder issues and multicultural concerns, and she pays attention to how prejudice, discrimination, and paranoia affect mental health. She notes a particular interest in supporting women, older adults, and people living with chronic illness, and is willing to work with anyone who is open to receiving help.
Lesley emphasizes support, education, and guidance in sessions. She uses practical conversation and teaching to help people manage symptoms, learn coping skills, and navigate life transitions. Her decades of practice shape a straightforward, experience-informed approach.
Sessions are conducted in English and are offered from Massachusetts. The subscription-based session model used for scheduling can be canceled at any time; prospective clients should follow the platform process to complete intake and book an initial meeting.
Sheet 2
Approaches used in remote sessions
Lesley works with evidence-based therapeutic techniques that focus on practical skills and symptom management. For example, cognitive approaches look at how thoughts affect mood and behavior and teach strategies for shifting unhelpful thought patterns. Trauma-informed methods address reactions to traumatic events by helping people process memories and learn grounding and coping tools useful after abuse, disasters, or acute crisis.Choosing the right approach is collaborative. The therapist will review symptoms, goals, and preferences with each person and then recommend which methods to try. That plan can change over time based on what helps and what the person wants to focus on.
Confirm current session formats before booking, as the biography describes both individual and group work but does not specify platform options. Online work can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy life - fewer travel demands, easier scheduling around work or caregiving, and options for shorter check-ins when time is limited. Talk with the therapist during the intake questionnaire about session length and rhythm so arrangements match daily needs.
Sheet 3
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Experience
39+ years
Listed in
Massachusetts
Languages
English
Sheet 4
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does she help with?
She works with stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief, bipolar disorder, depression, addictions, anger, and coping with life changes, along with first responder and multicultural concerns.
What therapeutic style does she use?
Lesley uses evidence-based therapeutic techniques focused on support, education, and practical guidance during sessions.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has 39 years of experience, including work in inpatient psychiatric settings and deployment with the Red Cross Disaster Mental Health Team.
What are her credentials and location?
She holds an M.A. and is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) practicing in Massachusetts.
Which languages are supported?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can people outside the United States work with her?
International clients are not currently accepted.
What session formats are available?
The original biography notes both individual and group therapy in her background; confirm current session options before booking through the platform.
How are costs and scheduling handled?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time; start by completing the platform matching questionnaire to schedule a first session.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger, use the urgent help numbers.