Essential Counseling and Therapeutic Services
Group Practice
5716 Fayetteville Road, Suite 202, Durham, NC 27713
Let's Connect (984) 234-6973
At Essential, we believe that therapy should never ask you to fit into someone else’s mold. Our neurodiversity-affirming, LGBTQIA+-affirming clinicians provide compassionate, evidence-based care tailored to your unique strengths, experiences, and goals. Whether you’re navigating anxiety, trauma, ADHD, autism, life transitions, or emotional overwhelm, we’re here to help you build resilience, confidence, and lasting well-being. Our personalized in-person and telehealth services, create a safe, supportive space where you feel heard, respected, and empowered to thrive—not just cope.
Our Team
The clinicians at Essential are committed to helping people overcome obstacles and move forward with their lives with clarity, vision and confidence. Because we recognize that traditional talk therapy is not for everyone, we offer a wide array of groups and therapies to increase practical therapeutic skill building and techniques learned in 1:1 sessions.
The clinicians at Essential are committed to helping people overcome obstacles and move forward with their lives with clarity, vision and confidence. Because we recognize that traditional talk therapy is not for everyone, we offer a wide array of groups and therapies to increase practical therapeutic skill building and techniques learned in 1:1 sessions.
So many of us carry expectations that were placed on us, rather than chosen for ourselves. I'm passionate about helping people better understand themselves and build lives that honor who they are—not who they feel they should be. I specialize in supporting neurodivergent adults as they unmask, recover from burnout, navigate a late diagnosis, and work through anxiety, OCD, depression, and other mental health concerns. My goal is to create a safe, affirming space where you can reconnect—or perhaps connect for the first time—with the parts of yourself that have been hidden, silenced, or overlooked.
So many of us carry expectations that were placed on us, rather than chosen for ourselves. I'm passionate about helping people better understand themselves and build lives that honor who they are—not who they feel they should be. I specialize in supporting neurodivergent adults as they unmask, recover from burnout, navigate a late diagnosis, and work through anxiety, OCD, depression, and other mental health concerns. My goal is to create a safe, affirming space where you can reconnect—or perhaps connect for the first time—with the parts of yourself that have been hidden, silenced, or overlooked.
Welcome! Reaching out and embarking on the journey of the therapeutic process is vulnerable and incredibly brave. I work with folks who are experiencing a range of life's challenges, including OCD, anxiety, depression, mood disorders, and relational challenges. I also have a special interest and experience in working with perinatal concerns. I build my practice around the belief that the most impactful therapeutic work occurs when there is a strong foundation of trust and understanding between the client and therapist. I will work to create a space with you where you can feel seen, heard, and safely challenged to grow and flourish.
Welcome! Reaching out and embarking on the journey of the therapeutic process is vulnerable and incredibly brave. I work with folks who are experiencing a range of life's challenges, including OCD, anxiety, depression, mood disorders, and relational challenges. I also have a special interest and experience in working with perinatal concerns. I build my practice around the belief that the most impactful therapeutic work occurs when there is a strong foundation of trust and understanding between the client and therapist. I will work to create a space with you where you can feel seen, heard, and safely challenged to grow and flourish.
I want counseling to be a positive and collaborative experience for everyone who steps through my door. I primarily work with adults and teens to address a variety of symptoms, including ADHD, autism, anxiety, depression, intellectual disabilities, OCD, substance use, and more. Together, we will work toward embracing your differences and using your strengths to help accomplish your goals.
A little about me... I have two dogs that I talk about all the time, so you will definitely see pictures of them. I love to read and play puzzle games. I'm always 100% myself, so my quirkiness will definitely come out during our sessions!
I want counseling to be a positive and collaborative experience for everyone who steps through my door. I primarily work with adults and teens to address a variety of symptoms, including ADHD, autism, anxiety, depression, intellectual disabilities, OCD, substance use, and more. Together, we will work toward embracing your differences and using your strengths to help accomplish your goals.
A little about me... I have two dogs that I talk about all the time, so you will definitely see pictures of them. I love to read and play puzzle games. I'm always 100% myself, so my quirkiness will definitely come out during our sessions!
Hi! Welcome to the beginning of a new journey. I am passionate about supporting neurodivergent adults with their mental health goals. Our sessions might cover a range of topics, including managing anxiety, exploring new hobbies, setting boundaries, and more. We will work together to find the best approach that works for you whether that means therapy walks, painting or playing a game. Therapy is not one size fits all! I pursue therapy with compassion and curiosity. I aim to build a strong and trusting relationship with clients as well as an environment that allows us to learn from each other.
Hi! Welcome to the beginning of a new journey. I am passionate about supporting neurodivergent adults with their mental health goals. Our sessions might cover a range of topics, including managing anxiety, exploring new hobbies, setting boundaries, and more. We will work together to find the best approach that works for you whether that means therapy walks, painting or playing a game. Therapy is not one size fits all! I pursue therapy with compassion and curiosity. I aim to build a strong and trusting relationship with clients as well as an environment that allows us to learn from each other.
Leon Monroe
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, MSW, LCSW, ASDCS, CCATP, ADHD-CS
3 Endorsed
Durham, NC 27713
"Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you might miss it" --Ferris Bueller. If you are looking for strategies to both slow down and move forward, you will find benefit in our sessions. I am a former software programmer and have helped many from the tech industry navigate mental health issues related to their work. Many of the people I work with are seeking relief from social anxiety, management of depressive symptoms and a better work/life balance. Each phase of life presents heightened developmental tasks, need sensitivities, crises, and opportunities for new learning. The Path Begins Here.
"Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you might miss it" --Ferris Bueller. If you are looking for strategies to both slow down and move forward, you will find benefit in our sessions. I am a former software programmer and have helped many from the tech industry navigate mental health issues related to their work. Many of the people I work with are seeking relief from social anxiety, management of depressive symptoms and a better work/life balance. Each phase of life presents heightened developmental tasks, need sensitivities, crises, and opportunities for new learning. The Path Begins Here.
Now accepting clients—I take BCBS/Aetna! Sometimes we reach points in life where we feel stuck. We might get trapped in loops of negative thoughts, or feel like we’ve hit a dead end in our career or relationships. When we reach out for support and connection, we find that the technology that was supposed to connect us has left us more isolated. I will help you create a space to reflect and work through difficult thoughts and emotions. Together we can cultivate hope and build a deeper sense of meaning in your life story.
Now accepting clients—I take BCBS/Aetna! Sometimes we reach points in life where we feel stuck. We might get trapped in loops of negative thoughts, or feel like we’ve hit a dead end in our career or relationships. When we reach out for support and connection, we find that the technology that was supposed to connect us has left us more isolated. I will help you create a space to reflect and work through difficult thoughts and emotions. Together we can cultivate hope and build a deeper sense of meaning in your life story.
“Who in the world am I? Ah, that’s the great puzzle” -Alice in Wonderland
As humans, we often carry complex emotions around with us as we move through life. My hope is that therapy can offer some reprieve from life's stressors, while giving you space to process your experiences and regain a sense of control. I enjoy working with folks who are navigating trauma, addiction, anxiety, depression, life changes, and interpersonal challenges. My background in social work influences how I approach therapy, including how identity, relationships, environment, and larger systems can impact overall well-being.
“Who in the world am I? Ah, that’s the great puzzle” -Alice in Wonderland
As humans, we often carry complex emotions around with us as we move through life. My hope is that therapy can offer some reprieve from life's stressors, while giving you space to process your experiences and regain a sense of control. I enjoy working with folks who are navigating trauma, addiction, anxiety, depression, life changes, and interpersonal challenges. My background in social work influences how I approach therapy, including how identity, relationships, environment, and larger systems can impact overall well-being.
Location
Primary Location
Essential Counseling and Therapeutic Services
5716 Fayetteville Road
Suite 202
Durham, NC 27713
(984) 234-6973Email Us