Meet Tomeika S. Leavell - Social Worker
/Below is a transcript of an interview with Tomeika S. Leavell, LCSW owner and therapist with Leavell Counseling.
Interviewer: What is your educational journey?
Tomeika:
I obtained my Bachelors of Arts in Sociology and my Masters of Science in Social Work from the University of Louisville, in 2001 and 2005 respectively. I obtained my license to practice Clinical Social Work (LCSW) in the state of Virginia in 2015, and in the state of Kentucky in 2017. I've not renewed in VA, as I moved from Virginia back to my home state of Kentucky in 2017. I am in the process of gaining licensure in another state and certifications in this year of 2020.
Interviewer: What led you to this profession?
Tomeika:
I've always enjoyed helping people. As an adolescent, teenager and young adult, I've been a tutor and a mentor. I worked with high school students as a high school student, attended summer enrichment camps and worked as a mentor when I was an undergraduate student to high school students through Upward Bound. I think what really led me ultimately was my own experience with a social worker as a eight year patient with the Shriner's Hospital from age 13-21. The hospital social workers were so kind, empathetic and resourceful; they were my first point of contact before and after each appointment and they brought a calming disposition to me and my mother every appointment. From there, I knew there was a way for me to be me while being me professionally. :-)
Interviewer: What services do you provide to the community?
Tomeika:
I presently provide individual counseling services to clients. I also facilitate group workshops as a member of an affiliates group (Gifted by Design Affiliates).
Interviewer: Do you specialize in working with a specific population?
Tomeika:
I wouldn't necessarily say that I specialize in working with any specific population, but I have an affinity in working with individuals, whether married, single or in between who are in the age range of 17-55 years old. I thoroughly enjoy working to support people who are seeking to find their way through life in the perspective of a life transition, actualizing their potential or healing and growing through to becoming their best selves.
Interviewer: Do you specialize in working with a certain set of concerns?
Tomeika:
Again, I wouldn't say that I specialize in working with any specific thing. Life is full of twists and turns, so I'm available to support clients through their growth spurts and pains to attain their highest potential.
Interviewer: Why do people come see you?
Tomeika:
People come to see me because they need support in actualizing their potential and normalizing their experiences. A lot of my clients are working through feelings of shame, guilt, trauma, emotional distress and dysregulation, old, imposed and ineffective thinking patterns and a host of other barriers that are temporarily interrupting their view and their path to becoming their best selves.
Interviewer: When do you see clients?
Tomeika:
I hold space for clients in the mornings and evenings on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays; mornings from 9-10 am and evenings from 4-7 pm.
Interviewer: How frequent do you see your clients?
Tomeika:
My clients and I confer about what is most ideal for them and their schedules, as well as their finances which must be taken under consideration. I have a couple of clients that I see on a weekly basis, and others on a bi-weekly basis. There are a small few that I see infrequently, but that is a case-by-case basis and not a normal practice.
Interviewer: How long do you see clients for?
Tomeika:
I hold space for clients for 50-60 minutes per session and the length of stay for clients is case-by-case; contingent upon circumstances.
Interviewer: Do you do online sessions?
Tomeika:
I do facilitate sessions via tele-health. I began offering tele-health during the pandemic, but I intend to continue to offer tele-health beyond this time we find ourselves in.
Interviewer: What does working with you look like?
Tomeika:
What working with me looks like depends on who you ask...lol! I am not a "homework" type of therapist/counselor, but some of my clients seek homework and find it through our conversations. I encourage clients' consideration on a great deal of things and challenge thinking patterns and errors; with that, some of my clients find spaces where they then encourage and challenge themselves to "do the work" beyond the session which they refer to as homework. My sessions are interactive, space is offered to confer, agree, disagree, breathe, meditate and stretch--emotionally and physically.
Interviewer: How do your clients pay for your services?
Tomeika:
I do not accept any insurance for services, so all of my clients are private pay. I have clients that I see on a sliding scale. Clients are offered a superbill to submit to their insurance providers for reimbursement and are able to utilize their Health Savings Accounts (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) via their cards.
Interviewer: What are your hobbies?
Tomeika:
My hobbies are reading, watching documentaries, listening to music,listening to podcasts, laughing freely, spending quality time with quality people, working within my communities and spending quality time with self.
Interviewer: What is one thing everyone must know about you?
Tomeika:
One thing that I would share with others reading this is that I am authentically who I state I am in the answers to all the questions. I am a girl from a small town who desired to help others, to be a vessel, and is now equipped to support others due to leaning, learning, growing and changing to be the best me in order to support you!
Interviewer: How can people connect with you if they are interested in learning more about you?
Tomeika:
If you'd like to connect with me on social media, I'm on Facebook and Instagram @leavellcounselingllc.
My website is https://leavellcounselingllc.com.
My email and phone number are tomeika@leavellcounselingllc.com and 502.317.6521, respectively.
The mental health and wellness professionals that practice out of b.mindful Louisville are skilled in what they do. Each specializing in their own area and caring for their clients in their own unique way.
If you need help finding the best human helper to meet your specific needs, email us for one-on-one assistance.
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