General 2 — KAHLE THERAPY & CONSULTING SERVICES INC.

LESLIE-ANN SMITH B.A.,L.L.B.,B.S.W.,R.S.W.

The Co-Founder + Clinical and Educational Director of Kahle Therapy & Consulting Services. Leslie-Ann is a Registered Social Worker (OCSWSSW), with over 20 years of experience building therapeutic alliances with individuals, couples + families. She is committed to improving the lives of her clients by addressing issues such as chronic racial trauma, mental health, self-care, identity + attachment.

Leslie-Ann co-founded Kahle Therapy + Consulting Services after years of working within mainstream mental health services. She recognized the disparity in the treatment of Black + racialized clients and staff; and the disturbing irony that involvement with mainstream mental health systems often exacerbated the mental health concerns of marginalized people. She aims to provide culturally responsive + affirming services to those traditionally on the outside of effective mental wellness services.

Leslie-Ann attended the University of Windsor (Psychology + Law) & York University (Social Work + Anti-Racist Research & Practice). Her professional experience spans numerous sectors including mental health, child welfare, education, youth justice, policy, community engagement, DEI + systems navigation. A portion of her childhood was spent living in California's Bay Area, but she has lived the majority of her life in the GTA. As a proud, first generation Canadian-Jamaican + former Miss West Indies International she is deeply connected to the Black + Caribbean community. She is a mother + social advocate; and considers herself to be a Womanist (feminism that incorporates the intersectionality of race + gender). She loves to travel, enjoys creating (photography, painting, writing + interior design) and believes that the quest to know + understand our authentic selves is one which will reap the greatest rewards.                                                                                              Her identity + lived experience has enabled her to offer effective, culturally responsive, and asset focused psycho-therapeutic services.

Leslie-Ann works from a Anti-Oppressive/Anti-Black Racism framework & utilizes an inter-sectional approach that honours the complexities of diverse + marginalized individuals. The trainings + educational activities that she develops, and facilitates, foster the Anti-Oppressive + Anti-Black Racism education of students, employees & organizations. Leslie-Ann facilitates conversations that are authentic, challenging + thought provoking. Her workshops, trainings + clinical consultations are advocacy driven; promoting AO + ABR services, confronting racism + inequality in the workplace/school environment, and validating the lived experiences of Black workers + students.

In treatment, her focus is to provide a safe space for individuals to develop their authentic selves, heal, refocus, and gain coping skills that will improve their lives. She holds space for clients to safely explore experiences of systemic discrimination, inter-generational trauma, racism + anti-black racism. Leslie-Ann offers holistic treatment, and years of expertise in various clinical modalities, to assist you on your wellness journey.

FOCUS

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Trauma/PTSD
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Emotional Regulation
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Anxiety + Depression
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Chronic Racial Stress
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Self-Esteem/Identity Development
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Stress Management
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Trauma/Shame
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Relationship Issues
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Grief
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Communication Issues
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Distorted/Negative Thoughts
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Infidelity
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INTERVENTIONS

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Schema Therapy
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Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
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Narrative Therapy
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Motivational Interviewing
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Solution Focused Brief Therapy
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Emotionally Focused Therapy
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Critical Race Theory
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Dialectic Behavioural Therapy
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Anti-Black Racism/Anti-Oppression
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Mindfulness
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