Leona Pusey-Rigg, LCSW

Leona Pusey-Rigg is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) who focuses on helping people regain balance during stressful life moments. She offers steady, down-to-earth support for common struggles like anxiety, depression, grief, relationship concerns, parenting strain, and life transitions. She writes and speaks plainly, and aims to meet people exactly where they are.

With 15 years of experience in clinical practice and a longer overall social work background, Leona draws on approaches that help people change unhelpful patterns and build on their strengths. She works to create a respectful, nonjudgmental atmosphere so clients can speak honestly and set realistic goals. Leona emphasizes a collaborative plan that fits each person’s needs.

Her work frequently addresses mood disorders, coping after loss, trauma and abuse, caregiving stress, chronic illness and pain, and issues that come with aging. She also helps people wrestling with career stress, immigration-related concerns, guilt and shame, and communication problems. Practical problem solving and skills-building are often part of sessions.

Leona uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing in her sessions. These approaches are used to help people notice patterns, try new behaviors, and build values-based goals. She tailors methods to each person’s situation.

Therapy is provided from Florida and conducted via live video, with phone used occasionally. To begin, clients complete a short matching questionnaire and schedule according to therapist availability.

How therapy approaches translate to online sessions

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people clarify what matters to them and take small steps toward those values, even when feelings are difficult. It is often useful for anxiety, depression, and life changes where motivation and meaning matter.

Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening closely and reflecting what the person says so they feel heard and understood. This approach supports people working through grief, relationship concerns, caregiver stress, or self-esteem issues.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at patterns of thought and behavior and teaches practical skills to shift unhelpful habits. It is commonly used for anxiety, mood concerns, sleep problems, and anger management.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will collaborate with each person to choose methods that fit their goals, preferences, and real-life demands. Adjustments are made over time based on what is helping.

Leona provides therapy primarily via live video, with occasional phone use as noted, so confirm current session options before booking. Online sessions can make it easier to fit appointments into a busy schedule, reduce travel time, and allow follow-up conversations between in-person commitments. Different ways of meeting also let sessions focus on short check-ins, skills practice, or deeper conversations depending on what the client needs.