Vanessa Batiste-Leal, LPC, LRC
Vanessa Batiste-Leal is a New Orleans native and has been a practicing mental health professional since 2015. She specializes in counseling athletes at all levels - student-athletes, amateur/professional athletes, as well as former athletes, in balancing mind, body, and sport for optimal mental health and well-being. Additionally, it is beneficial for anyone who is seeking to improve performance in their field, such as business executives, medical professionals, actors, dancers, and more. Vanessa provides individual counseling that focuses on establishing goals and developing a plan to build a strong mindset for achieving peak performance in sport and in life. She works from an educational and strength-based approach that assists the athlete in developing the knowledge and tools for enhancing mental strength and emotional regulation. Common topics addressed in sessions include anxiety, depression, confidence, injury, focus, recruiting, motivation, relaxation, team roles, consistency, general emotional health, mindfulness, and goal setting.
Justine Booth, MA Clinical Mental Health Counseling Student Intern
Justine received her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Lesley University in 2019. She is now completing her final year in her CMHC graduate program at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology and will soon be eligible for her PLPC. Originally from New England, Justine has resided in New Orleans for the past three years. Justine often uses artistic, creative and mindfulness practices to support clients in processing their experiences. Justine favors psychodynamic and cognitive-behavioral orientations but always approaches each client from a person-centered and trauma sensitive perspective first and foremost. Justine has experience working with those with a history of substance abuse, complex trauma, and anxiety challenges however Justine’s focus as a counselor is to support every client in finding inner peace, elevating their well-being, and reaching their full potential.
Book an appointment with Justine Booth, MA Clinical Mental Health Counseling Student Intern
Emily Buse, MA, PLPC
A native of New Orleans, Emily Buse holds a Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling from Holy Cross University. She is currently a PLPC working under the supervision of April Ivy, LPC-S. After taking some personal time to be a full time mom, she is thrilled to be back seeing clients again. She specializes in working with adults struggling mood disorders, anxiety, trauma, addiction, grief, and women’s health and, since having added motherhood to her repertoire, she has also developed a passion for working with mothers navigating postpartum.
She approaches counseling from a person-centered, eclectic and holistic perspective, using a blend of cognitive behavioral, existential, solution-focused, and psychoeducation, with an aim to create a warm and inviting space, free from judgment or expectation. She chooses to focus on clients strengths, while also identifying areas for growth so as to empower clients to overcome personal obstacles. By redirecting clients’ negative thinking patterns towards healthier outlooks, the goal of her approach is that they may learn to navigate their circumstance from a different perspective. She is steadfast in the belief that there is always hope and that no mistake in life can’t be undone.
Gabriella DeMatteo, MA Clinical Mental Health Counseling Student Intern
Having earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from LSU, Gabriella is completing the final semester of a master’s program in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at the University of Holy Cross and will soon be eligible for her PLPC. A native of New Orleans, Gabriella adopts a person-centered approach, recognizing the importance of cultivating strong therapeutic relationships. Her background includes working with children, families, and individuals in various life stages.
Book an appointment with Gabriella DeMatteo, MA Clinical Mental Health Counseling Student Intern
Hope Gersovitz, Ph.D., LPC-S, LMFT
Hope graduated from LSU with a Masters in Counselor Education. In 2004, she became a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. After receiving her PhD in Behavioral Science through California University and opened her first private practice, New Orleans Counseling & Hypnosis Center, in 2011. 3 years later she opened her second practice, Theratique, with a mission of creating a place of rest, relaxation, and centering for all of its clients. While Hope works with a broad spectrum of clients, she has worked to expand her areas of expertise to include depression and anxiety stemming from maternity and family planning as well as the trials and tribulations thereof. Motivated by her personal experiences on the path to motherhood, Hope draws from her own struggles with IVF and adoption navigation to help her clients. She is an interactive, solution-focused therapist. Her therapeutic approach is to provide support and practical feedback to help clients effectively address their personal life challenges.
Christina Leslie, LPC
Christina was born and raised in the great city of New Orleans. Christina is a Licensed Professional Counselor and certified School Counselor in Louisiana. She is also in the process of becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor and awaiting approval to become a National Certified Counselor (NCC). She has over 7 years of experience working with clients of various backgrounds with moderate to severe mental health issues. She received her Masters from Southern University A&M College in Mental Health Counseling. She also received her Bachelors from Louisiana State University in Psychology with a minor in Leadership Development. Christina uses a multitude of therapies to assist clients for an engaging and therapeutic experience. She is accepting new clients for evening and weekend counseling appointments.
Emily Patterson, LCSW
Emily Patterson is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 15 years of experience supporting individuals through the changes that life brings. She earned her Master’s in Social Work from Columbia University and has been practicing social work in the New Orleans area for 12 years, working in healthcare and maternal/child health. She is especially focused on supporting those working in the healthcare field as well as those struggling with fertility and the postpartum period. She also has experience supporting adults working through depression, anxiety, grief, women’s health issues, parenting struggles, adjustment to life changes and health related concerns. Her approach to counseling is supportive and collaborative, choosing to focus on the strengths inherent in all beings to help move through life’s obstacles. She believes therapy can be a combination of exploration, contemplation, problem-solving, and action and looks forward to joining you on your journey.
Emily Patterson will be available to see clients as of 7/1/23
Pearl Watson, MHS, LPC, NCC
Pearl earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the Xavier University of Louisiana. She received a Master of Health Science degree in Mental Health Counseling from LSU Health Science Center, New Orleans in 2021. Pearl is a Licensed Professional Counselor who has experience working with clients from various cultural backgrounds and experiences. Pearl utilizes therapeutic techniques from Mindfulness, Person-Centered Therapy, and Cognitive Behavior Therapy to address the client’s needs and achieve therapeutic goals.Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Daniela Zapata, LPC
Daniela Zapata earned a Master of Science Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Capella University in 2019. As a previous high school teacher and mental health community advocate, she has experience working with a wide range of ages and people of different cultural backgrounds. She adopts a holistic approach to therapy and believes collaboration is essential in order to reach the client's desired results. Daniela utilizes therapeutic techniques from Solutions Focus Therapy , Narrative Therapy, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, to address anxiety, depression, trauma, stress management, grief, and relationship/marital concerns. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.