Happy Wednesday, Golden Divas!

Let’s discuss why ‘Mental Health’ and ‘Self-Awareness’ is so critical. The awareness of one’s self as a unique sentient agent might be thought of as fundamental to mental health. Though disrupted in most if not all psychiatric disorders, it is the hallmark of depersonalization disorder. If you’re wondering how self-awareness relates to mental health? Let me tell you. Self-awareness helps build a solid therapeutic relationship, helps laypeople make more informed decisions, and contributes to one’s overall wellbeing. It is important to remember that self-awareness is an individual’s ability to appreciate the strengths and weaknesses of one’s character. With that being said, my next guest here at Club Fifty is a beacon of light that is shining a light on mental health and self-awareness on the parts of your “Internal World” that might otherwise get buried down. Unnoticed or pushed to the curb. She taps into the inner you to help you gain self-awareness, balance, and a solid foundation, especially in the world that we are living in now.

I have known this beauty for many years; this diva has a heart of gold and patience to ensure that her clients get the best. She is ready to help you heal and put all of the pieces of your life back together. For years, she was one of our resident LCPCs on our radio show, Let’s Stay Together Talk. Her skill set as a psychotherapist and counselor empowers and strengthens her client’s self-esteem so that healing can begin, and she uses coaching interventions to get the job done. Her methods are well worth the session with her because she keeps you accountable for your actions if you are ready to do the work. I highly recommend my dear friend Leslie Holley’s private practice, Healing-Circle, so your mental health and self-awareness can become more balanced.

Leslie Holley will be one of our resident therapists on our radio show Let’s Stay Together Talk again starting on Tuesday, August 23, 2022. Tune in from 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm at www.soarradio.com.

Welcome to Club Fifty Leslie!

MEET LESLIE HOLLEY

Leslie Holley is a Nationally Certified Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, MA, LCPC, LPC, NCC (MD, DC, VA, MO). The latter earned her Master’s in Community Counseling from DePaul University, where she taught Master’s level clinical counseling courses as an adjunct professor. Currently, she works with clients at her private practice, Healing-Circle, LLC in downtown Silver Spring, MD, providing psychotherapy and coaching interventions. She also provides mental health presentations throughout the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia (DMV) area.

Leslie offers to counsel adults working through anxiety, depression, co-dependency, life transitions, and relationship building. Leslie helps clients establish boundaries and practice healthy communication strategies through their mental health journey. She specializes in Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), working with Black, Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC), has been extensively trained in trauma, and is Reiki I Certified. Moreover, she completed her Master’s thesis, with distinction, on the help-seeking behaviors of African American men. In addition, Leslie offers an African American (AA) Women Support Group and adolescents of color group annually. Topics for AA women include post-baby issues, divorce support, and building healthy relationships. Lastly, during group work with adolescents, she focuses on empowering and strengthening their self-esteem. Leslie Holley has presented on mental health topics for the American Counseling Association (ACA), the Illinois Counseling Association (ICA), Northwestern University, DePaul University, and the Maryland Counseling Association Multicultural Division (MAMCD), to name a few. During their monthly mental health segment, Leslie has shared her mental health knowledge on Chicago WGN Radio and the online radio show, Let’s Stay Together Talk. In addition, she has been a contributing writer for about.com and UrbanBalance.com, covering her work with couples in counseling, anxiety coping tools, and understanding depression.

Some of the many topics she presents include therapy 101, how to start a private practice (3 part series), mental health during COVID-19, how to cope with grief, anger management, trauma in children and adolescents, how to manage a crisis, conflict resolution, bullying in the workplace, assertive training, and thriving in a multigenerational workforce. Currently, Leslie Holley is the Secretary for the Maryland Counseling Association (MCA). Leslie is the mother of two handsome young boys. Quinton, who is 15, she calls him her ‘Little Engineer,” who loves to build things, is a competitive swimmer, and is an avid movie watcher. Malcolm is 12 or so; he likes people to know he is 12.5. He’s an actor, a basketball player, and her “Little Creative” one. Leslie enjoys ‘Hot Yoga,’ red wine, and film.

**IN CONVERSATION WITH LESLIE HOLLEY**
**C50: Leslie, what made you decide to become a Certified Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor? What is your educational background?**
**LH:** When I graduated from Howard University with a B.A. in Business Marketing, I knew I wanted to be a business owner. Before I decided to be a counselor, I had several businesses but always felt I wasn’t following my whole purpose. After my deep dive, establishing mentors, and jobs working in the community helping people, I decided to go to graduate school for counseling finally. I completed my community counseling Master’s degree at DePaul University and began working for a large private practice in the Chicagoland area, Urban Balance. My mentor, Joyce Marter, taught me much about owning a business and authentically doing what you love. Authenticity is imperative to this work.

C50: Why did you decide to open up your private practice, ‘The Healing-Circle?’

LH: After working with Urban Balance for 11 years, I felt ready to begin my journey. Because entrepreneurship was in my blood, I always had the plan to start my own while getting my master’s. Joyce Marter, the owner of Urban Balance, really showed me the ropes. She was welcoming in sharing her business motto and allowed me to open an office for her in St. Louis, Missouri, before I opened my practice in Silver Spring, MD. C.

C50: What does Healing-Circle offer that other companies don’t provide?

LH: Healing-Circle strives to provide affordable counseling services for black and brown communities. My team is a community of relatable black women who hold space for trauma and are responsive. Healing Circle reminds our clients that therapy is where they choose themselves. We hold our clients accountable and highlight the importance of self-care. We recognize the threat of systematic racism in our world and how it impacts our lens. At Healing-Circle, you are seen, and that’s important. We offer a sliding scale and promote wellness in all its aspects.

C50: Have you worked more with children, adults, or families? What is your preferred specialty?

LH: I, primarily, work with adults. My team works with children, adults, and couples. I prefer to work with people of color, adults, and couples. I am also passionate about being a practice that is a pathway for African American adolescents and Black women to have a voice.
Can you explain your clinical process before, during, and after a session with a client? My goal is to make my clients more self-aware. To be in touch with your emotions and actions, good or bad, is the key. We all make mistakes and act off emotion, but if we can understand ourselves, the good and bad, that is the key. Self-awareness is key.

C50: Why is seeking therapy so crucial for mental health and well-being? What would you consider the leading causes of mental health issues today?

LH: Lack of self-awareness. We live in a fast world and results quickly. Have a question; you can google it. Your boss needs your attention; email comes to your phone. Everything and everyone is used to fast results, not patience. Self-awareness takes patience.

C50: Tell us about some methods you use with your clients to help them through their sessions. Also, what coping strategies would you suggest to a patient who does not want to be prescribed medication?

LH: Healthy routines are the key to self-awareness. As a therapist, I keep my clients accountable for their goals. It’s in our self-care routines we learn who we are authentic.

C50: Since COVID, the world has changed tremendously with many businesses. Does Healing-Circle offer virtual and residential therapy for clients who do not feel comfortable leaving their houses?

LH: Absolutely. In this virtual world, we are also offering virtual sessions.

C50: What is the relationship between psychiatrists and therapists?

LH: I work with many psychiatrists. Consulting with a team is helpful for my clients to ensure they have wrap-around services—many clients on medication talk to their therapist about their medication issues and improvements. As a psychotherapist, it’s imperative that I work with my client’s psychiatrist, when needed, to help cultivate the best outcome possible for our client.

C50: Leslie, what do you do outside of work that helps you maintain a healthy, well-balanced life?

LH: Whenever I can, I’m in a hot yoga class. It gives me focus, clarity, and vision. Hot Yoga increases my vibration, and I’m grateful for the practice.

Bonus Question

C50: Leslie, if someone is looking for an LCPC, how can they contact you?

LH: Website: http://Healing-Circle.org

Facebook Instagram YouTube

Newsletter & Blog Sign Up

Office Numbers to Schedule Consultation - 312-775-2316 & 301-327-0066

There you have it, Golden Divas; this gem is ready to help. Club Fifty, thank you, Leslie Holley, for helping so many people to achieve balance in their lives.

Leslie Holley