Author: Leslie Westbrook

I became a minister in the early 1970's in response to the civil rights movements in our country. I felt passionate about Unitarian Universalism and wanted to do what I could to support our efforts for social justice. I served parishes in New England and the Southeast and then for six years served as Consultant in Adult Education for our denomination. For eight years I was a member and then Vice Chair of the Ministerial Fellowship Committee of the Unitarian Universalist Association, the gatekeeping committee that interviews potential new ministers of our denomination. When I married and started a family, I began specialized training to be a therapist. I earned a doctorate from the Institute for Clinical Social Work of Chicago and a three year certificate from the Center for Religion and Psychotherapy of Chicago. I have for the past twenty five years served as a counselor and therapist to adults, adolescents, and couples. I offer crisis counseling, executive coaching, individual therapy, and couple’s counseling. I see people who are suffering with depression, anxiety and every kind of mental health concern. Others come to me with issues such as infertility, parenting difficulties, marital or intimacy concerns, transitions in their work life, women’s issues, death and dying, and Gay/lesbian issues. I especially enjoy working with partners who are in intimate relationships. I do this work knowing that I am furthering our liberal religious principle of ‘Respect for the worth and dignity of every human being.’ While I have loved serving our denomination as a parish minister, educator, and administrator, my true love is accompanying individuals as they seek to become more compassionate, productive, and creative persons and working with couples who want more satisfaction, caring and love in their intimate relationships.