Leandrew Aponte, LMHC-LP

The human mind fascinates and scares me.

That combination of emotions just piques my curiosity to study it further and it’s exactly what drew me to become a therapist.

My therapy style is inspired by the scientific method – we analyze and examine the problem, gather information on everything surrounding it, ask questions, create probable solutions, test them and return to the drawing board to analyze what worked and what didn’t. It might sound clinical, but I’m someone who believes everything tells us something – your daily habits, the shows you watch, even your favorite fictional characters. It’s all part of understanding who you are.

People say my calm manner during sessions helps to ground them when they’re processing difficult emotions. I think when someone’s world feels chaotic, they need their therapist to be steady.

What energizes me most is working with clients who challenge me as much as I challenge them. Most of my work focuses on trauma, particularly with people who’ve survived accidents that weren’t their fault. I also work extensively with kids, teens, and young adults. I typically use exposure therapy because I believe in engaging with life outside the therapy room, not just talking about it.

During tough sessions, I’ll often shift into what seems like casual conversation – maybe we’ll talk about weekend plans or a simple trip to the park. It might feel random, but these moments help you remember there’s more to life than whatever problem brought you in.

I’m always learning. Academia is a passion of mine, and I’m constantly pursuing more education to get better at this work because my clients deserve someone who stays current. Whether that’s through formal education or just paying attention to what’s happening in the world, it all feeds back into being a better therapist.

When I’m not studying or seeing clients, I balance things out – sometimes I’m reading comic books, other times I’m out with friends at social events.

The breakthroughs make everything worth it. I’ve watched people go from crushing self-doubt to genuine confidence in themselves. Those shifts remind me why I chose this work.

Deciding to start therapy is the hardest part because you need to take a leap of faith. I wish more people understood that being vulnerable doesn’t make you weak. If anything, it conveys strength to be so open and engage fully with the therapeutic process.

My clients often leave sessions feeling more secure in asking the bigger questions…

“What is it that I want for myself, and what can I do today to work toward that goal?”