Lee Gaston, LCSW, has over 20 years’ experience treating adults, teens and children, and relationships between them, for a wide variety of problems and disorders. He earned his BA degree from the University of Alabama with an English Major and a Creative Writing Minor. So, naturally he became a cabinetmaker and worked with wood for 17 years. A variety of factors including a bad back, doing his own inner work and a fascination with the ways people heal, learn, and grow led him to return to UA to obtain a Master of Social Work Degree for the purpose of becoming a therapist. Learning how to work in construction continues to influence his therapeutic style in that he prefers to work actively and collaboratively with his clients. Mr. Gaston remains a permanent student of the mind/brain, the most effective evidence-based therapies and of our human natures.
Mr. Gaston prefers to assess the problem/s and, depending on the client’s interests, needs and strengths, develop a personalized plan with each client selecting from the elements listed above. Certain features are intrinsic to all his therapeutic work: Respect, Acceptance, Encouragement and Support. Although not specifically a religious counselor he welcomes the integration of client’s own spiritual beliefs and practices. He strives to make his office and the therapeutic conversations a safe and sacred space where, despite the obstacles, positive change happens.
Mr. Gaston assesses and treats:
- Trauma
- Mood Disorder such as Depression
- Anxiety and Panic Disorders
- Recovery from abuse over the life span
- Behavior problems in adults and teens
- Relationship and communication problems
- Traumatic and complicated Grief
- Emotional regulation problems such as anger, fear, and shame
- Stress Management
- Behavioral and chemical addictions
- Problems of the Self including Personality disturbances and Low Self-esteem
Mr. Gaston has Post-graduate training in:
- Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Behavioral Therapy
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
- Narrative Therapy
- Play Therapy (for the young and old)
- Mindfulness-based Therapies
- 12 Step Recovery Model
- Solution-focused Therapy
