"Before one can risk change or growth, a sense of security, a clarity of purpose, and consistency must be established."
Hi there! My name is Madalyn. I admire you for being brave enough to use this platform and take advantage of technology like Better Help. I am fortunate to be a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist practicing with adults, children, and adolescents in individual, group, couple, and family therapy sessions. In addition to being passionate about my profession, I am also a personal believer in this field as I was lucky enough to experience the gift of therapy for myself. Ever since my own positive experience in therapy, I wanted to learn all that I could about being a therapist to provide others with the same relief and compassion I received. Unfortunately, no one taught me where to find a magic wand, but I have learned a thing or two along the way that I hope can be useful to you.
To give you more insight about my background, I have worked in a variety of professional settings, including private practice, residential addiction treatment, outpatient programs addressing domestic violence/addiction/anger management/parenting concerns, military settings, family counseling centers, women's health centers, academic settings, and hospitals. Basically, there's not much I haven't done, but I must admit I am passionate about working with people who have had a negative prior experience in therapy so we can figure out what went wrong and make changes this time around. I consider myself specialized in the areas of trauma, addiction, family/relational conflict, family of origin issues, eating disorders, and women's issues. I enjoy working with clients of all ages, but am particularly fond of teenagers as I discovered therapy at this age myself. I am also passionate about working with families who love someone with an addiction and have experience being the Family Program Co-Ordinator at an inpatient addiction treatment center. I am also specialized in military life issues and the unique challenges faced while loving or being someone in this career. While I have enjoyed the variety of knowledge gained from these experiences, I have found the common denominator across all types of settings and work that must be present for therapy to be effective is making sure that you feel understood, validated, and safe. Basically, no one should judge you here and you deserve to be treated with respect in all of our interactions. That is what I hope to offer to you as we enter a therapeutic relationship.
Unfortunately, we don't all have access to a safe place to vent and feel validated in our day-to-day lives. I aim for my counseling style to be empathetic, validating, and warm, and would love to know what you have found helpful or unhelpful from therapy in the past (seriously, feel free to tell me this and let me know how I may be helpful or unhelpful to you as well). I am drawn to humanistic approaches that aim to find the good in all of us and build on strengths. I also won't hesitate to be human with you myself and admit that we are all in this "figuring life out" thing together, and while I definitely don't have all the answers, you don't have to experience pain alone.
Thanks for taking the time to read this! I look forward to starting this journey with you.
Additional areas of focus: LGBT, Grief, Eating disorders, Parenting issues, Anger management, Self esteem, Depression, Coping with life changes, Attachment issues, Blended Family Issues, Body image, Communication problems, Divorce and separation, Domestic Violence, Drug and Alcohol Addiction, Eating and Food-Related Issues, Family of Origin Issues, Family Problems, Fatherhood Issues, Guilt and shame, Infidelity, Military and Veterans Issues, Mood disorders , Panic disorder and panic attacks, Personality Disorders, Polyamory / Nonmonogamous Relationships, Post-traumatic stress, Self-love, Sexual Assault and Abuse, Somatization, Women's issues, Young Adult Issues
Clinical approaches: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Attachment-Based Therapy, Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT), Gottman Method, Narrative Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Trauma-Focused Therapy
GA LMFT MFT001727
These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Madalyn Leatherman. We don't pay anyone to provide their review and they are all made voluntarily. Some people's experience receiving therapy with BetterHelp might be different.
Madalyn is a terrific counselor. She is well-informed, thoughtful and intelligent in her responses. She asks the right questions and is very responsive. I highly recommend her.
Written on Feb 21, 2021 after therapy with Madalyn for 8 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, parenting issues, self esteem, anger management, and compassion fatigue
After months of sessions with her, Madalyn continues to surprise me with her vast knowledge and expertise. She knows exactly the right questions to ask that lead to significant breakthroughs and revelations about my past, how I came to be the person I am now, and how I can be the best version of myself going forward. On top of all of that, she has a warm, friendly, sisterly demeanor that immediately puts you at ease. I’m so grateful to BetterHelp for connecting me with the best therapist I’ve ever had, hands down!
Written on Oct 07, 2020 after therapy with Madalyn for 3 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, lgbt, relationship issues, family conflicts, self esteem, coaching, and compassion fatigue
Madalyn is a great listener. She takes from our conversation the things I describe as important to me, and then talks me through how to focus on them and how to handle any challenges that keep me from that focus. Grateful to have met and worked with her.
Written on Sep 24, 2020 after therapy with Madalyn for 2 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, self esteem, and career difficulties
Such a wonderful counselor.
Written on Sep 22, 2020 after therapy with Madalyn for 3 months on issues concerning addictions, eating disorders, and coping with life changes
Madalyn is awesome! She really works to relieve personal biases to fit my personal needs and situation(s). I appreciate her dedication and care when it come to my counseling needs even if I don’t do the same for myself. It really holds me accountable.
Written on Aug 19, 2020 after therapy with Madalyn for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, parenting issues, self esteem, career difficulties, coping with life changes, coaching, and adhd
Madalyn is professional and empathetic to real life issues. I felt her sincerity and would recommend her to friends/family/colleagues!
Written on Jul 23, 2020 after therapy with Madalyn for 2 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, lgbt, family conflicts, grief, eating disorders, career difficulties, coping with life changes, and compassion fatigue