Today we’d like to introduce you to Leah Cook.
Hi Leah, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
I have not always been a counselor; in fact, I spent 13 years working for AT&T as an access service representative in Special Access in Richardson, Texas. Working for the phone company, as we so lovingly called it, taught me about diversity and the inner world of how corporations structure their workforce. During this time, I found myself connecting with people across the country and looking forward to listening to their stories of life. In 2006, my divorce was completed, and I spent several years as a single mom of twin daughters. This was a time to restructure my life, and the decision I made was to complete my bachelor’s degree in psychology all while parenting my twin daughters. After my bachelor degree, I decided that I wanted to use the gift God had given me of listening and pursue a career in counseling. During my master’s degree program, a professor called me tenacious. I remember that word and found that it was very fitting for who I now see myself in my career. I spent my time learning how to motivate others to change and inspire others to explore their emotions safely. I furthered my career after working in psychiatric hospitals treating trauma and addictions. As I reached my goals of becoming a licensed professional counselor and licensed chemical dependency counselor, I began to stretch my goals further to becoming a licensed professional supervisor for counselors gaining hours with the state to be fully licensed on their own. In 2021, I completed my dissertation and received my doctorate in the advanced study of human behavior with an emphasis on the treatment of patients with psychogenic non-epileptic seizures. Today, I work in a private practice in which I treat adults with emotionally immature parents, addictions, trauma, and psychogenic non-epileptic seizures.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I started my bachelor’s as a traditional student in Oklahoma. I came from a family with divorced parents and left college to begin working after 3 years as a traditional student. My job at AT&T helped me to gain financial security I needed, and then, with my own divorce, I faced completing my degrees as a single mom of identical twin daughters from the age of 6 months old. As a non-traditional student, I completed my bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD through online programs that allowed me to balance being a mom and wife again with my second husband and employee. I spent weekends, nights, and vacations working on papers and research that later supported attaining all 3 of my degrees. During my time obtaining my master’s degree, I suffered a stillbirth and loss of my daughter (Isabella Hope Cook) at 19 weeks gestation. My support system surrounded me, and I received love and support from our church and the many friends and family that we had established while living in Garland. Through this loss, I met my friend Lacie Moore, who I received as my friend because of the loss of my baby. During our 8-year friendship, Lacie and I developed a close friendship as she helped me with obtaining my practicum hours in which I had to work as a counseling intern without pay. Lacie took care of and baby sat my infant son who I gave birth to 2 years after the loss of my daughter. She was a very important part of my life for several years. In 2022, Lacie passed away tragically due to domestic violence. She was a beloved mother, teacher, friend, daughter, sister-in-law, and more. She impacted my ability to continue my education and complete my degrees, and I am forever grateful for her life.
As you know, we’re big fans of Leah Cook Counseling PLLC. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about the brand?
Since I specialize in treating PNES, and there are few counselors that specialize in this population, I see many people who struggle with this disorder. I am known for being able to speak life and truth into those most hurt and scared to trust. Many of my clients say that they hear my words and voice while they navigate life situations that are sometimes unexpected. I am most proud of the myself for being tenacious enough to finish 3 degrees through life on life’s terms. I find my ability to create and make something possible in many situations that seem impossible. One of the things that I continually tell my patients is that you are only trapped by what your mind can come up with. I am unique in my style of therapy as I strive to address each person as important to me not only for the business that I have the privilege of owning but also the privilege to sit with people at times when they need someone to listen and be with them in their pain. I lead groups specific to coping with emotionally immature parents and people struggling with dissociative identity disorder and their families. I offer supervision to licensed professional counseling associates.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
I have learned that counseling is an art. To help someone in counseling, you have to create solutions that sometimes may not be visible without creativity. I have learned that when you teach others, you learn as well. Additionally, at times, when you see those, you teach struggle to apply knowledge, that it you may feel it can be just as difficult to apply the knowledge you teach to your own life.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.drlcook.com
Image Credits
Abbie Road Photography
