Hello, and welcome! I’m Leslie Newsome, a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associate devoted to walking alongside you through some of life’s most complex and tender moments. My work is rooted in helping people explore the deep questions of identity and purpose — “Who am I?” and “What am I doing here?” — especially during times of transition, loss, or uncertainty.
I specialize in supporting adults (18+) navigating life changes such as divorce (including grey divorce), midlife re-evaluation, career shifts, gender exploration, and other transformative experiences. Whether it’s navigating a change in ability, retirement, grief, loss, illness, or simply shifting into a new chapter of life, these moments can feel overwhelming and isolating, but I believe they also hold the potential for deep growth.
My goal is to offer a warm, inclusive, and trusting space where you can explore your experience at your own pace without judgment. I also have a deep passion for grief, loss, and end-of-life care, holding space for those facing terminal illness or supporting loved ones through the dying process.
With a background in the arts and as a certified yoga instructor, I love weaving in creative and somatic practices when it feels supportive. This may include expressive arts, mindfulness-based techniques, and breath work to deepen self-awareness, regulate the nervous system, and create new ways of relating to both inner and outer challenges.
Before becoming a counselor, I received my Bachelor of Fine Arts from UNC-Charlotte and my Master of Fine Arts from the University of Florida. I went on to teach at both UNC-Charlotte and Mitchell Community College. Later, I became a certified yoga instructor and most recently earned my counseling degree from Catawba College. I’ve also spent several deeply fulfilling years as a stay-at-home parent—an experience that shaped my understanding of presence, patience, and the everyday transitions we go through.
Outside the therapy room, I find grounding in nature, reading, and making art—all practices that connect me to the present and inspire the work I do with clients.
Whether you’re standing at the edge of a life change, sitting in the discomfort of not knowing, or simply seeking a place to be heard, I’m here to walk with you.
