Email Clinician
lpignataro@knoxmindfulwellnessctr.com
Leslie is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) licensed by the state of Tennessee Social Work Board. Leslie graduated from the University of Tennessee in 2016 with a master's degree in social work with a clinical focus. While in this program, she began working at a residential treatment facility for adolescents which allowed her to gain knowledge and experience working with a variety of mental health issues including depression, anxiety, trauma, bipolar disorder, addiction, and psychosis. After graduating with her master's degree, Leslie accepted a position as a full-time therapist at the same facility providing individual, family, and group therapy services. She went on to manage the clinical department and eventually accepted a position as a program director, where she helped develop a new program that served a new, younger demographic. Leslie has also worked in inpatient treatment, providing therapy services to adult and geriatric patients. She is trained in various therapeutic interventions including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR). Leslie uses a client-centered approach based on the belief that therapy is most beneficial when her clients are given the opportunity to decide what to explore and which therapeutic interventions feel best to them in order to achieve the lasting effects that they are looking for. Her passion is to help people overcome life's challenges and develop the tools needed to thrive. Leslie is accepting new patients and would love the opportunity to work with you.