Leslie Kausch, M. Ed., LCMHC, NCC, Licensed Counselor

"Facing My Fear and Boundary Struggles"

When I first came to see Leslie, I was very upset over a situation in which I hadn’t been able to stand up for myself.  Every time Leslie and I talked about the situation, I got stuck feeling guilty about my actions towards the other person. So Leslie had me come to the mat and suggested a physical exercise. I was immediately filled with panic and felt paralyzed with uncertainty, but for this exercise, I had to face my fear.  At first, even with Leslie’s encouragement, I just couldn’t do it.  I was amazed and horrified at myself! But then it hit me – this was a perfect metaphor for the boundary struggles I’d been dealing with in real life. In real life, I felt incapable of defending myself, even at my own expense.  When I realized this I cried heartily. We stopped the exercise and processed. Since then, when I find myself in a situation in which that familiar feeling arises – the feeling of neglecting a boundary at my own expense – I recognize it as part of this pattern, and that encourages me to try and break the pattern. The physical work on the mat helped me see that it is completely unreasonable to let myself get walked on by other people.” – S

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"Moving Beyond Myself to Build Something New"

In regard to my experience with counseling that includes physical work, which was within a group setting.  The process of wrapping our hands and arms before sparring with each other, begin the real process of “opening ourselves up – to ourselves” for review. As my imagined  “inadequate physical capabilities” persona surfaced for review, I also listened as others within the group actually voiced their defense mechanisms against “being physical”.   Personally faced with my own “give up before you start” facade, I was tasked to quickly face this character, suck back my “chi”, step around myself in-order to build something new and different, which was why I was there in the first place. This work was about moving into the “present moment” to align the various aspects of  my “being” into focus in-order to meet a physical challenge.  Being in action for me was also about the opportunity to “re-pattern” my old circuits, by using the outside stimulation of the calm, assured and electric energy that Leslie offered as an integrated presence (or role model).” – A

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"From Anxiety to a Positive Change"

I wanted to reach out and thank you for the work that you are doing. You may recall my panic which prompted our first conversation, and the challenges I faced trying to get my loved one to your office. I simply wanted to reach out and thank you for being exactly the person I thought you were - as you represented yourself online, and during our conversation.  My loved one had a real fear of meeting with someone, and his anxiety was severe (as I'm sure you were aware).  But when he got in the car after speaking with you, he was grateful he had gone, he was relatively positive, and it was the best I had seen him seem in months.

Over the last week, he brought you up - and some of the things you spoke about - and it was always positive.  
It is amazing to me to see the change in him.  I am also amazed to see him trusting so quickly and easily.  This is an extraordinary situation and I just wanted to thank you for taking such good care of the soul of someone that is worthy of feeling whole.  He is a truly lovely man - kind and generous and open-hearted, and simply one of the best humans I've ever met. I wanted to reach out and express my gratitude, aware of how valuable your time with him is, and wanted to ensure that you hear from a loved one that your work, commitment, patience, and understanding is clearly genuine. Thank you for all that you do. -  J