Leslie Cashion
Are you looking for a compassionate listening ear? Are you ready to make some changes in your life? Do you need extra support as an individual, parent, child, or family? Want to develop relationship skills with your equine? These are just a few of the ways collaborative, client-centered and creative therapies can help you. In a non-judgmental, open-minded & open-hearted place, we can work through life’s challenges, together.
I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who uses authentic self in trauma-informed collaboration with clients, focusing on their goals and establishing treatment plans to best support them. I enjoy working with families that include young children, teens, adult individuals, and couples. I work with multicultural clients of all ages & faith backgrounds. Whether developing the ability to cope with anxiety and/or depression, transitioning through life changes like divorce, managing the effects of a traumatic incident, managing difficult childhood behavioral concerns, repairing a broken relationship, or creating better parenting methods, my focus is in assisting you in meeting the goals you bring to therapy. My practice is trauma-informed and research-based, which is beneficial to many clients.
My work with clients focuses on connected, compassionate healing with several different modalities. I specialize in animal assisted therapy in two different ways. In office, I partner with Nugget, a coming 3 yr old Golden Retriever, who brings happiness and joy to those around him. We became certified through Alliance of Therapy Dogs in 2021. I also partner with you and your horse through CFC’s new service, Trauma Informed-Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (TI-EAP). I can travel to you and your horse for therapeutic sessions as a Level 1 Trained practitioner through Natural Lifemanship. My work is informed by 20 yrs. professional equine experience, studying with Elsa Sinclair’s Freedom Based Training program, Dr Susan Fay’s text Sacred Spaces including animal communication, and Warwick Schiller’s Attuned Horsemanship.
I am trained in Eye Movement Desensitization Response (EMDR), play therapy, sand tray, and expressive arts. I am certified in Trauma Informed Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) and certified in Gottman Relationship Therapy Level 2. I am also a Certified Positive Discipline Parent Educator to support parents and kiddos. My own self-studies have been focused on Brene Brown’s work with shame, emotions, and connection. Dr Kristen Neff’s Self-Compassion work, and healing focused therapeutic modalities also inform my practices. I am an Associate Faculty at Post University where I teach Animal Assisted Therapy.
As a second career therapist, I bring life-experience into the therapeutic process. Before becoming a full-time therapist, I was a professional equestrian, working up the ranks from groom to trainer, competitor, volunteer coordinator, coach, barn manager, and competition organize. I’ve been lucky enough to partner with everything from the most adorable miniature horse to the biggest draft, working with beginners to international competitors.
I live in Lexington, KY with my partner, his teenage daughter, and our 3 rescue dogs. When not playing with horses or in the therapy office, I enjoy reading, hiking, kayaking, archery, a good movie or tv show, live music, art, and always learning something new.
Leslie can be reached directly at 502-684-2183 or TherapistLeslie@protonmail.com.
***Leslie is offering availability on Mondays and Tuesdays at the Lyndon Campus for children 4+, teens, families, adults and couples. She also has telehealth availability for teen and adult clients on Thursdays and Fridays. She accepts payment through HSA/FSA cards, cash, or check. She can also provide Out of Network Reimbursement forms for those with OON Benefits and has a limited number of sliding scale openings per month. Typical 45-minute appointments with Leslie are a $130 investment per session following the Initial Intake, which costs $180 and includes the development and planning of new clients’ treatment plans.***
