Leah Petrucci, LMHC

Leah Petrucci is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in Florida with 20 years in the mental health and social work field. She helps people facing stress, anxiety, depression, relationship strain, addictions, trauma, and grief. Leah also supports concerns around self-esteem, intimacy, eating struggles, bipolar disorder, and compassion fatigue.

Leah blends practical talk therapy with goal-focused tools. She works with clients to set clear, manageable steps they can try between sessions. Her style is collaborative and direct; she listens closely and suggests ways to test new behaviors and thoughts in everyday life.

Her approach mixes several methods so care fits each person. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is part of her work, alongside attachment-focused and client-centered methods. She also draws on Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills and relationship work informed by the Gottman Method when those fit a client's needs.

Leah has experience supporting people after major life changes, including divorce, chronic illness, caregiver stress, and trauma. She can help with boundary setting and navigating relationships that feel controlling or codependent. She may suggest 12-step programs or other community supports to complement therapy.

Sessions can include conversations about spiritual beliefs if the client wants that included. Leah aims to build a strong working relationship and to help people make steady, realistic changes that improve daily life.

Approaches that translate well to online therapy

Leah uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to identify unhelpful thoughts and test new behaviors; CBT helps people manage anxiety, depression, and daily stress through step-by-step exercises. She also relies on Attachment-Based Therapy to look at how early relationship patterns affect current connections and to build healthier ways of relating. Client-Centered Therapy is another cornerstone of her work, offering a supportive, nonjudgmental space where the client's priorities guide each session.

Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. Leah works with each person to pick methods that match their goals, preferences, and life circumstances. She checks in regularly and adjusts the plan as needed so therapy stays practical and relevant.

Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging, which offer flexibility for different needs. Video sessions allow face-to-face interaction for skills practice. Phone calls can be simpler when bandwidth or device use is limited. Live chat and text messaging are useful for quick check-ins, brief coaching, or staying connected between longer sessions. These options make it easier to fit therapy into work, caregiving, or health-related schedules.