LA's Old Web Info...
"...because yourwellbeingmatters!"
| "Change..It's One Of Life's Only Constants..." |
This is a favorite saying of mine because life is about change! Some
you anticipate and choose. Others are unexpected. Some you
knowingly or even unknowingly resist. The better able you are at
negotiating and coping with change, the better you feel. Realize the
passage of time is change. Each moment is new and different from the
last. Are you living each new moment the way you want or does
something not feel quite right?
People of all ages in certain life stages or circumstances including
work, school or family transitions, illness, trauma and situations of loss
or grief, stress or anxiety may benefit from the support of counseling,
psychotherapy or biofeedback services. Your Health Care
Professional, Case Manager, Employer, Family or a Friend may have
referred for support in your situation. You may be seeking services on
your own.
So you're thinking about psychotherapy, counseling or
biofeedback.... Whether you found this site on your own or were
referred by someone, I've designed it to tell you about myself, what I
offer and help you understand how therapy works. This information
may help you gain confidence in your decision to meet with a
therapist. This might be me. It may be someone else. Hopefully, this
site will start you moving through the process.
Therapy as "Last Resort" or like "Golf Lessons" ....
Choosing therapy is often a last resort option when you are feeling
overwhelmed, helpless or hopeless. This is a key role for counselors.
If you are feeling any of these , I hope you will soon find a therapist
you are comfortable with, who will assist you in moving through this
tough spot in your life.
But what do golf lessons have to do with therapy!? When you want to
learn a new skill or improve one's you have, you take lessons with a
pro. From skiing to SCUBA or piano to cooking, lessons improve your
skills, performance and confidence. Think of counseling as lessons in
life management. You gain new skills and knowledge from mood to
stress management or parenting to relationships. Therapy is a
preventative approach giving you the skills, performance and
confidence to successfully meet daily life changes.
This is a favorite saying of mine because life is about change! Some
you anticipate and choose. Others are unexpected. Some you
knowingly or even unknowingly resist. The better able you are at
negotiating and coping with change, the better you feel. Realize the
passage of time is change. Each moment is new and different from the
last. Are you living each new moment the way you want or does
something not feel quite right?
People of all ages in certain life stages or circumstances including
work, school or family transitions, illness, trauma and situations of loss
or grief, stress or anxiety may benefit from the support of counseling,
psychotherapy or biofeedback services. Your Health Care
Professional, Case Manager, Employer, Family or a Friend may have
referred for support in your situation. You may be seeking services on
your own.
Meet Your Counselor...
Leslie Ann Shields, M.S., L.P.C.
Leslie Ann is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the State of Texas
(#18846) licensed through the Texas State Board of Examiners of
Professional Counselors.
Her undergraduate training complimented and sparked her interest in
psychology, health and wellbeing, effective communication and
neurological/developmental issues. Her B.A. is from Trinity
University in San Antonio, Texas with a double major in
Communications and Health & Physical Education. She earned her
M.S. in Counseling Psychology from Our Lady of The Lake
University in San Antonio, Texas, which is a Marriage and Family
Therapy and Systems based training program. She was a Graduate
Assistant in the Federal Grant Program of Early Childhood
Education and Counseling for Violence Intervention and
Prevention.
Her early clinical experiences were with children experiencing motor
and learning delays, special needs children and family therapy, plus
as a Family Assistance Crisis Team Counselor in conjunction with the
S.A., TX Police Dept. Her post-graduate internship and recent
experiences include behavioral lifestyle counseling with adults,
geriatric counseling and counseling of traumatic brain injury survivors
and their families and psychoeducation/counseling with biofeedback
training focusing on pain and stress management. Additionally, Leslie
Ann has worked with adult inpatient psychiatric facilities.
Prior to her counseling career, Leslie Ann worked a fulfilling 12 years
in the business/corporate world of medical/ dental implantable devices
and surgical supplies for Fortune 100 & 500 companies. She also
worked for a NIDA/DOT certified Drug Testing Lab involved in
corporate drug and alcohol prevention and intervention programs.
Leslie Ann now provides counseling and psychotherapy services for
all ages through individual, couples, family and small group therapy.
Special populations include rehabilitation, MHMR, brain injury, ADHD,
and chronic pain.
Client issues she focuses on are anxiety, depression, self-esteem,
grief/loss, adjustment to life stressors, relationship and family
concerns. She provides psychoeducation in pain, stress and anger
management and has actively added biofeedback training in her
practice since 2003 complementing her counseling services.
Counseling & Psychotherapy for Individuals,
Couples, Families & Groups:
If you or a family member are experiencing any social, emotional,
mental or behavioral difficulties preventing you/them from enjoying life
or interfering with your/their realizing one's full potential in personal,
work or school functioning, consider this therapy.
We will develop a safe, therapeutic relationship using mental health
and human development principles and strategies to create changes
in mood, attitudes, behaviors, thoughts and feelings resulting in
improved functioning that positively impacts your quality of life.
My counseling approaches include interpersonal, cognitive-behavioral
and brief/solution-focused therapies from a biopsychosocial and
systems-based focus. This means I like to take into account the
multiple aspects of your life including behaviors, mood, physiology,
imagery/thoughts, interpersonal and medical issues finding a
treatment plan that "fits" best for you.
Since therapy is based on a therapeutic relationship, we will work
together as a team. We'll design your treatment goals and action
plans from various strategies and continuously evaluate our
therapeutic process together. I rely on your honest feedback to
determine which approaches are working. We'll adjust as necessary
finding what works till you achieve your desired outcomes.
Remember therapy involves sharing personal, sensitive and private
information, which I understand can be distressing. Sometimes therapy
can cause anxiety, confusion or make things seem worse within
yourself or situation before they start feeling better. So, again, I count
on your honest feedback about your response to how therapy is
working for you. If it's moving too fast, too slow or you begin to
question our "fit," we'll work together to adjust and find what works.
Otherwise, I'll help you find another therapist more suited to your
needs.
Counseling & Psychotherapy is about you impacting your quality of
life, happiness and success in the things that matter most to you. I
look forward to supporting you creating and living your life by your own
design.
Biofeedback/Relaxation Training:
WHEN IS IT USEFUL: The National Institute for Health and National
Institute for Mental Health has found biofeedback beneficial for the
following problems: chronic pain, insomnia, migraine and tension
headaches, digestive system disorders, high blood pressure and
certain other cardiovascular, circulatory or nervous system disorders.
Biofeedback is a powerful tool and when used appropriately in
combination with other tools like relaxation training,
cognitive-behavioral therapy or interpersonal skills training, it can aid
you in managing the symptoms of disease states or improve your
physiological response to stress/emotions.
WHAT IS BIOFEEDBACK TRAINING: Biofeedback is a method of
learning used as "a treatment technique in which you are trained to
improve your own health by using signals from your body" according
to the National Institute for Mental Health. It allows you to self-regulate
certain internal bodily processes that normally occur involuntarily,
such as heart rate or blood pressure. Leslie Ann's biofeedback
training room provides you software tools during your session allowing
you to monitor your internal physiological activities. Non-invasive
electrodes or sensors are placed on the skin that convert your body's
physiological signals to meaningful feedback you and Leslie Ann see
on a monitor. She then "coaches" you in processing the information.
Your brain can then integrate this information with your thoughts,
feelings, and new self-awareness influencing and changing future
physiological responses like muscle bracing, blood vessel constriction,
heart rhythm and nervous system arousal.
WHY DOES BIOFEEDBACK or MIND/BODY MEDICINE WORK?
The goal of the mind/body technique is teaching you the ability to
activate the relaxation response and reduce the stress response
within yourself. When you are relaxed or your response to normal daily
stress is more relaxed, your levels of stress hormones in your body
are reduced. Decreased stress hormones relates positively to immune
system efficiency, meaning better health and healing capacities.
Research in general and specifically at HeartMath Institute shows that
negative emotions like hostile attitudes (anger, defensiveness),
anxiety and frustration are associated with stress hormones and
disrupt healthy heart and system functioning negatively impacting your
health. Biofeedback promotes relaxation, improves coping skills and
your sense of control over your symptoms. Learning self- regulation to
control symptoms may even lessen your need for medication. What's
more biofeedback has no damaging side effects, it's painless and fun!
you anticipate and choose. Others are unexpected. Some you
knowingly or even unknowingly resist. The better able you are at
negotiating and coping with change, the better you feel. Realize the
passage of time is change. Each moment is new and different from the
last. Are you living each new moment the way you want or does
something not feel quite right?
People of all ages in certain life stages or circumstances including
work, school or family transitions, illness, trauma and situations of loss
or grief, stress or anxiety may benefit from the support of counseling,
psychotherapy or biofeedback services. Your Health Care
Professional, Case Manager, Employer, Family or a Friend may have
referred for support in your situation. You may be seeking services on
your own.
So you're thinking about psychotherapy, counseling or
biofeedback.... Whether you found this site on your own or were
referred by someone, I've designed it to tell you about myself, what I
offer and help you understand how therapy works. This information
may help you gain confidence in your decision to meet with a
therapist. This might be me. It may be someone else. Hopefully, this
site will start you moving through the process.
Therapy as "Last Resort" or like "Golf Lessons" ....
Choosing therapy is often a last resort option when you are feeling
overwhelmed, helpless or hopeless. This is a key role for counselors.
If you are feeling any of these , I hope you will soon find a therapist
you are comfortable with, who will assist you in moving through this
tough spot in your life.
But what do golf lessons have to do with therapy!? When you want to
learn a new skill or improve one's you have, you take lessons with a
pro. From skiing to SCUBA or piano to cooking, lessons improve your
skills, performance and confidence. Think of counseling as lessons in
life management. You gain new skills and knowledge from mood to
stress management or parenting to relationships. Therapy is a
preventative approach giving you the skills, performance and
confidence to successfully meet daily life changes.
This is a favorite saying of mine because life is about change! Some
you anticipate and choose. Others are unexpected. Some you
knowingly or even unknowingly resist. The better able you are at
negotiating and coping with change, the better you feel. Realize the
passage of time is change. Each moment is new and different from the
last. Are you living each new moment the way you want or does
something not feel quite right?
People of all ages in certain life stages or circumstances including
work, school or family transitions, illness, trauma and situations of loss
or grief, stress or anxiety may benefit from the support of counseling,
psychotherapy or biofeedback services. Your Health Care
Professional, Case Manager, Employer, Family or a Friend may have
referred for support in your situation. You may be seeking services on
your own.
Meet Your Counselor...
Leslie Ann Shields, M.S., L.P.C.
Leslie Ann is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the State of Texas
(#18846) licensed through the Texas State Board of Examiners of
Professional Counselors.
Her undergraduate training complimented and sparked her interest in
psychology, health and wellbeing, effective communication and
neurological/developmental issues. Her B.A. is from Trinity
University in San Antonio, Texas with a double major in
Communications and Health & Physical Education. She earned her
M.S. in Counseling Psychology from Our Lady of The Lake
University in San Antonio, Texas, which is a Marriage and Family
Therapy and Systems based training program. She was a Graduate
Assistant in the Federal Grant Program of Early Childhood
Education and Counseling for Violence Intervention and
Prevention.
Her early clinical experiences were with children experiencing motor
and learning delays, special needs children and family therapy, plus
as a Family Assistance Crisis Team Counselor in conjunction with the
S.A., TX Police Dept. Her post-graduate internship and recent
experiences include behavioral lifestyle counseling with adults,
geriatric counseling and counseling of traumatic brain injury survivors
and their families and psychoeducation/counseling with biofeedback
training focusing on pain and stress management. Additionally, Leslie
Ann has worked with adult inpatient psychiatric facilities.
Prior to her counseling career, Leslie Ann worked a fulfilling 12 years
in the business/corporate world of medical/ dental implantable devices
and surgical supplies for Fortune 100 & 500 companies. She also
worked for a NIDA/DOT certified Drug Testing Lab involved in
corporate drug and alcohol prevention and intervention programs.
Leslie Ann now provides counseling and psychotherapy services for
all ages through individual, couples, family and small group therapy.
Special populations include rehabilitation, MHMR, brain injury, ADHD,
and chronic pain.
Client issues she focuses on are anxiety, depression, self-esteem,
grief/loss, adjustment to life stressors, relationship and family
concerns. She provides psychoeducation in pain, stress and anger
management and has actively added biofeedback training in her
practice since 2003 complementing her counseling services.
Counseling & Psychotherapy for Individuals,
Couples, Families & Groups:
If you or a family member are experiencing any social, emotional,
mental or behavioral difficulties preventing you/them from enjoying life
or interfering with your/their realizing one's full potential in personal,
work or school functioning, consider this therapy.
We will develop a safe, therapeutic relationship using mental health
and human development principles and strategies to create changes
in mood, attitudes, behaviors, thoughts and feelings resulting in
improved functioning that positively impacts your quality of life.
My counseling approaches include interpersonal, cognitive-behavioral
and brief/solution-focused therapies from a biopsychosocial and
systems-based focus. This means I like to take into account the
multiple aspects of your life including behaviors, mood, physiology,
imagery/thoughts, interpersonal and medical issues finding a
treatment plan that "fits" best for you.
Since therapy is based on a therapeutic relationship, we will work
together as a team. We'll design your treatment goals and action
plans from various strategies and continuously evaluate our
therapeutic process together. I rely on your honest feedback to
determine which approaches are working. We'll adjust as necessary
finding what works till you achieve your desired outcomes.
Remember therapy involves sharing personal, sensitive and private
information, which I understand can be distressing. Sometimes therapy
can cause anxiety, confusion or make things seem worse within
yourself or situation before they start feeling better. So, again, I count
on your honest feedback about your response to how therapy is
working for you. If it's moving too fast, too slow or you begin to
question our "fit," we'll work together to adjust and find what works.
Otherwise, I'll help you find another therapist more suited to your
needs.
Counseling & Psychotherapy is about you impacting your quality of
life, happiness and success in the things that matter most to you. I
look forward to supporting you creating and living your life by your own
design.
Biofeedback/Relaxation Training:
WHEN IS IT USEFUL: The National Institute for Health and National
Institute for Mental Health has found biofeedback beneficial for the
following problems: chronic pain, insomnia, migraine and tension
headaches, digestive system disorders, high blood pressure and
certain other cardiovascular, circulatory or nervous system disorders.
Biofeedback is a powerful tool and when used appropriately in
combination with other tools like relaxation training,
cognitive-behavioral therapy or interpersonal skills training, it can aid
you in managing the symptoms of disease states or improve your
physiological response to stress/emotions.
WHAT IS BIOFEEDBACK TRAINING: Biofeedback is a method of
learning used as "a treatment technique in which you are trained to
improve your own health by using signals from your body" according
to the National Institute for Mental Health. It allows you to self-regulate
certain internal bodily processes that normally occur involuntarily,
such as heart rate or blood pressure. Leslie Ann's biofeedback
training room provides you software tools during your session allowing
you to monitor your internal physiological activities. Non-invasive
electrodes or sensors are placed on the skin that convert your body's
physiological signals to meaningful feedback you and Leslie Ann see
on a monitor. She then "coaches" you in processing the information.
Your brain can then integrate this information with your thoughts,
feelings, and new self-awareness influencing and changing future
physiological responses like muscle bracing, blood vessel constriction,
heart rhythm and nervous system arousal.
WHY DOES BIOFEEDBACK or MIND/BODY MEDICINE WORK?
The goal of the mind/body technique is teaching you the ability to
activate the relaxation response and reduce the stress response
within yourself. When you are relaxed or your response to normal daily
stress is more relaxed, your levels of stress hormones in your body
are reduced. Decreased stress hormones relates positively to immune
system efficiency, meaning better health and healing capacities.
Research in general and specifically at HeartMath Institute shows that
negative emotions like hostile attitudes (anger, defensiveness),
anxiety and frustration are associated with stress hormones and
disrupt healthy heart and system functioning negatively impacting your
health. Biofeedback promotes relaxation, improves coping skills and
your sense of control over your symptoms. Learning self- regulation to
control symptoms may even lessen your need for medication. What's
more biofeedback has no damaging side effects, it's painless and fun!
Everyone's reason for
seeking therapy is
unique. Some common
themes among my
clients include:
please call.
seeking therapy is
unique. Some common
themes among my
clients include:
- Not feeling good about
yourself - Often feeling anxious,
panicky or worried - Difficulties finding or
maintaining satisfying
relationships - Feeling alone,
helpless or hopeless - Finding everyone
else's needs or wants
being met before their
own - Difficulty making
decisions - Wanting support in
making lifestyle or
behavior changes - Excess shyness or
social anxiety - Chronic problems in
school, work or family
settings - Reacting with
excessive anger - Poor ability coping with
life's daily stresses - Feeling overwhelmed
by too many changes
or losses happening
at the same time
please call.
What is a Licensed
Professional
Counselor (LPC)?
According to the
American Counseling
Association, "A
professional counselor
is a person who has
earned a minimum of a
master's degree,
possesses professional
knowledge and
demonstrates skill in the
application of mental
health, psychological
and human development
and adjustment
throughout the life span.
Professional counselors
prevent, diagnose and
treat mental, emotional
or behavioral disorders
and associated
distresses that interfere
with mental health and
quality of life. They help
people of all functioning
levels grow mentally,
emotionally, socially,
educationally, spiritually
and vocationally.
What makes professional
counselors unique from
their peers in other
mental health disciplines
is their "wellness"
orientation. While
trained to understand
pathology and mental
illness, professional
counselors take a
preventative approach
to helping people and
are trained to use
treatment interventions
which include principles
of development,
wellness and pathology
reflecting a pluralistic
society."
Professional counselors
in Texas are state board
credentialed and
licensed to legally
practice. They complete
continuing education
annually for license
renewal and are
regulated by a
professional code of
ethics to protect client
rights and confidentiality.
Professional
Counselor (LPC)?
According to the
American Counseling
Association, "A
professional counselor
is a person who has
earned a minimum of a
master's degree,
possesses professional
knowledge and
demonstrates skill in the
application of mental
health, psychological
and human development
and adjustment
throughout the life span.
Professional counselors
prevent, diagnose and
treat mental, emotional
or behavioral disorders
and associated
distresses that interfere
with mental health and
quality of life. They help
people of all functioning
levels grow mentally,
emotionally, socially,
educationally, spiritually
and vocationally.
What makes professional
counselors unique from
their peers in other
mental health disciplines
is their "wellness"
orientation. While
trained to understand
pathology and mental
illness, professional
counselors take a
preventative approach
to helping people and
are trained to use
treatment interventions
which include principles
of development,
wellness and pathology
reflecting a pluralistic
society."
Professional counselors
in Texas are state board
credentialed and
licensed to legally
practice. They complete
continuing education
annually for license
renewal and are
regulated by a
professional code of
ethics to protect client
rights and confidentiality.
