Leona Pusey-Rigg

Leona Pusey-Rigg is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) who focuses on helping people facing stress, anxiety, depression, grief, and major life changes. She writes plainly and listens carefully so people feel heard. Her work aims to help people use their own strengths to manage day-to-day challenges and improve quality of life.

With 15 years of clinical practice in Florida, she draws on a longer background in social work and a belief in aligning mind, body, and spirit. Leona uses methods that include acceptance and commitment ideas, cognitive-behavioral techniques, mindfulness, motivational interviewing, and a client-centered stance. This lets sessions mix practical skills with attention to values and what matters most to each person.

Leona emphasizes a non-judgmental relationship built on respect, compassion, and validation. She will work with clients to set clear, realistic goals and develop a treatment plan that fits their needs. Conversations can cover mood disorders, family conflict, caregiving strain, chronic illness, hospice and end-of-life concerns, immigration stress, and issues around isolation and life purpose.

Her approach is collaborative and straightforward. She helps people identify small, concrete steps they can take between sessions. Leona offers live video sessions and occasional telephone sessions; confirm current session options when scheduling.

She encourages anyone who feels stuck or overwhelmed to reach out and begin a conversation about next steps. Getting started involves a short questionnaire and scheduling based on availability.

Therapeutic approaches and online work

Leona commonly uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in her sessions. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people clarify their values and take actions that align with those values, which can be useful for grief, caregiving stress, and life changes. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns and replacing them with practical skills to reduce anxiety and improve mood.

Finding the right approach is a team effort. The therapist will collaborate with each person to choose methods that match their goals, needs, and preferences. Sessions can include skill practice, values work, and short exercises to try between meetings so progress continues outside appointments.

Leona provides live video sessions and occasional telephone sessions; please confirm current session options before booking. Online meetings can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy day, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and reduce travel time. The format chosen will depend on the client's needs and what works best for scheduling and comfort.