Christie Leonard, LCSW
Psychotherapist
Tampa FL
My work with clients is grounded in collaboration, respect, and deep presence. I view therapy as a partnership where your experience, wisdom, and goals guide our journey together. From the very first session, my intention is to create a safe, supportive space where you feel seen, heard, and valued exactly as you are. I understand that every person’s story and healing path is unique, and that’s why the foundation of my approach is to meet you exactly where you are. We move at a pace that feels comfortable and empowering, honoring your boundaries and your readiness for change.
Together, we explore your inner world through a blend of evidence-based therapies like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and attachment-focused approaches, combined with mindfulness, yoga, and somatic techniques. This integrative method allows us to address both mind and body, cultivating awareness, self-compassion, and emotional resilience along the way. I also provide trauma-informed care, prioritizing safety and nervous system regulation throughout our work, ensuring that healing feels grounded and sustainable.
For clients interested in psychedelic-assisted therapy, I offer knowledgeable guidance around preparation, integration, and ethical considerations, helping to support this powerful journey in a way that is safe and respectful. Throughout our time together, I encourage curiosity and self-compassion, understanding that healing is not linear and that ebbs and flows are part of the process. My role is to nonjudgmentally walk alongside you, helping you access your inner strengths and wisdom so you can move toward the meaningful changes you seek.
Whether you prefer talk therapy, movement, meditation, or a combination of these, we will craft a personalized plan that fits your needs and honors your unique path. Ultimately, my goal is to empower you to reconnect with your authentic self and live a life aligned with your deepest desires and truths.
With over 15 years of experience, I integrate my work as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, 500-hour Registered Yoga Teacher, and Certified Mindfulness Meditation Teacher to support holistic healing. My private practice brings together my deep commitment to helping others with my passions for mental wellness, Eastern philosophy, and body-based therapies such as meditation, yoga, and somatic healing.
I earned my Master’s degree in Social Work from Simmons University in Boston in 2012 and am currently licensed in Massachusetts, Florida, Maine, Washington D.C., Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Alabama.
I’ve always been deeply committed to the world around me and am passionate about helping people as best I can. Over the years, I’ve worked in a variety of settings including schools, inpatient and outpatient programs, and community-based agencies, supporting individuals across all stages of life, from young children to older adults. These diverse experiences have shaped the way I practice and deepened my understanding that healing looks different for everyone.
Alongside my clinical training, I’ve spent years studying mindfulness, yoga, and the mind-body connection. I approach healing from an integrative perspective, one that honors both scientific evidence and inner wisdom. I view therapy as a collaborative journey, not a top-down process. I’m here to listen, support, and we will walk together on your journey.
I’m also passionate about the therapeutic potential of psychedelics. I believe these medicines, when approached with care and intention, can serve as powerful tools for accessing deep insight, healing trauma, and reconnecting with our true self. My interest in this field is both personal and professional, and I continue to study its applications within ethical, trauma-informed care.
At the heart of my work is a simple goal: to help people remember who they really are and feel more at home in their bodies, their lives, and their truth.
I offer two group programs designed to support your healing journey by combining clinical knowledge with holistic practices. Both group programs emphasize a compassionate, trauma-informed approach, creating safe spaces where healing can unfold naturally as well as provide practical tools you can carry into daily life, helping you cultivate presence, resilience, and self-compassion.
My Therapeutic Yoga Groups offer a gentle, intentional space to reconnect with your body, release tension, and process stored emotions through mindful breathwork and somatic practices. These sessions are grounded in the science of the autonomic nervous system, neuroplasticity, and yogic principles. Through this approach, you’ll learn to transform stress and trauma into empowerment and growth, while building tools for emotional expression, mental clarity, and lasting well-being. The group setting also provides a supportive environment where you can feel safe exploring your body’s wisdom and healing potential.
In my Mindfulness Meditation Groups, you’ll experience therapeutic practices that reduce stress, ease tension, and promote mental clarity. These guided sessions help improve focus, manage anxiety, and restore emotional balance. Practicing mindfulness in a group setting offers the added benefit of shared energy and support, deepening your experience and connection to yourself and others. These groups are suitable for all levels, whether you’re new to meditation or looking to enrich your existing practice.