Leona Pusey-Rigg, LCSW

Leona Pusey-Rigg is a licensed clinical social worker who offers steady, practical support for people facing stress, anxiety, low self-esteem, depression, grief, and major life changes. She aims to help clients find small, workable steps toward feeling better and managing day-to-day challenges.

With 15 years of clinical experience in Florida, she draws on common-sense methods that help people change unhelpful thinking and behavior. Her style is respectful and nonjudgmental. She focuses on building a trusting relationship and on helping each person use their strengths to reach goals.

Leona mixes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with acceptance-based and client-centered techniques. That means sessions can include learning new coping skills, practicing mindful awareness, and clarifying what matters most to the individual. Motivational interviewing and solution-focused ideas are used to set realistic next steps and keep progress moving.

She has worked with people facing grief, trauma and abuse, relationship and family concerns, parenting strain, chronic illness and caregiver stress, and challenges tied to aging or end-of-life care. She also supports those dealing with workplace pressure, immigration-related stress, and feelings of isolation.

Sessions are offered by video calls, with occasional phone sessions when needed. Leona helps each person shape a treatment plan that fits their situation and goals, and she focuses on practical strategies that can be used between sessions.

How therapy styles translate to online care

Leona commonly uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in online work. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy helps people notice and change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, which is useful for anxiety, depression, sleep problems, and mood concerns. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy emphasizes noticing thoughts and values, then taking actions that match what matters most, which can help with stress, grief, and coping with chronic health issues.

Finding the right approach is part of the work together. The therapist discusses goals, preferences, and what has or hasn’t helped before, then tailors methods to fit the person. That collaborative planning can mix CBT exercises, mindfulness practice, and motivational strategies so the plan matches real life needs.

Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to fit different days and schedules. Video is useful for full sessions and skill practice. Phone calls can be a simpler check-in when bandwidth is limited. Chat and messaging work well for short updates, homework check-ins, or quick support between sessions. These options give flexibility for people juggling work, caregiving, or mobility limits while keeping therapy consistent and focused.