Leslie Gerrard

What do I do at the Counseling Center?

I am the Associate Director for Training and a licensed clinical psychologist at the Counseling Center. Additionally, I co-coordinate the Wilderness Therapy Program. I work with individual clients with a variety of concerns, provide supervision to doctoral interns, facilitate professional development opportunities, and engage in a variety of outreach activities. I am the owner of one of the animal-assisted therapy dog, Wicket. 

What's it like to work with me?

I work with clients from a collaborative approach, meaning that we work together to identify goals that fit with what they are hoping to gain from their experience at the Counseling Center. My theoretical perspective is interpersonal process oriented, and I am interested in patterns of interpersonal interactions that have developed over the lifespan and may influence a person’s current wellbeing. I also work from a strengths-based approach, which means that I focus on what is working well for clients and try to empower them in their lives. My training has been heavily influenced by multicultural and feminist perspectives and my time working in wilderness settings has led to a strengths-based, holistic approach with a focus on culture and community.

What do I do at JMU outside of the Counseling Center?

At JMU, I coordinate efforts to provide support at prevention and awareness-building events facilitated by different groups across campus. I collaborate with University Recreation to offer the STEP Wilderness Therapy Retreat and the Wilderness Therapy Program.

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