Nelly Leenman , LPC

Nelly Leenman is a licensed professional counselor (LPC) based in New Jersey who helps people manage stress, anxiety, addiction, grief, trauma, low self-esteem, and relationship or intimacy concerns. She has eight years of clinical experience and works with people facing life changes, parenting strain, career stress, and compassion fatigue. She aims to make sessions feel welcoming and straightforward. Nelly listens first to understand how a person's history and current life fit together. She then tailors the work to what the person needs most in that moment. Her approach draws on practical methods such as cognitive behavioral techniques and motivational interviewing. She also uses client-centered and attachment-based ideas to focus on the relationship and on how people connect with others. Nelly has worked in a range of healthcare settings and brings that varied background into session planning. She helps people who are coping with addiction, domestic violence, divorce, immigration stress, aging and end-of-life concerns, and serious health issues like cancer. Sessions cover both immediate coping skills and longer-term goals. She supports people dealing with sleep problems, anger, isolation, and feelings of guilt or shame. For those recovering from abusive relationships, she offers structure and practical steps toward regaining agency. Nelly provides care in English and Dutch. Her practice is organized around clear goals and regular check-ins so progress is easy to track and adjust as needed.

Approaches that translate well to online care

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people notice unhelpful thoughts and commit to actions that match their values. It is useful for anxiety, stress, and life transitions because it focuses on choices and small steps forward. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) teaches practical skills to change thought and behavior patterns that feed anxiety, insomnia, or low mood. CBT sessions often include exercises and homework that work well over video or messaging. Attachment-Based Therapy looks at how early relationships affect current connections and communication. This approach can help with intimacy issues, abandonment concerns, and improving trust in relationships.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will collaborate to pick methods that fit a person's goals, comfort level, and daily life. That may mean starting with brief CBT tools, then adding acceptance or attachment-focused techniques as needs evolve.

Online therapy offers flexibility through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. Video is useful for face-to-face conversation and structured exercises, while phone calls can be easier when bandwidth is limited. Live chat or messaging can support shorter check-ins, journaling-style work, or ongoing encouragement between sessions. These options make it easier to fit counseling into a busy schedule and to continue care across different life demands.