Currently accepting new patients.
Leigha Smith, LMHCP
My name is Leigha Smith. I am a Mental Health Counselor specializing in Children ages 3+, adolescents, and emerging adults.
My Background
Born and raised in the scenic area of Hornell, NY, I did multiple dance disciplines and was an acclaimed athlete in soccer and tennis.
I received my Bachelor’s degree with a double major in Psychology and Spanish with honors from the State University of New York at Geneseo.
I received my Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling at Alfred University, focusing on pediatric counseling and play therapy.
My family instilled the values of not only respect, but reverence for every aspect of existence, acknowledging that all life is sacred. My family taught me to act with humility, respect, and compassion towards others in the world around me, nurturing a sense of humanity, unity, and integrity.
From a young age, I am deeply aware of the impact mental health has on people and communities. Growing up, I witnessed friends and family members struggling with various mental health challenges and saw firsthand how crucial support and understanding are for healing and well-being. These experiences ignited my passion for mental health and inspired me to pursue a path where I can make a meaningful difference.
My commitment to supporting you stems from a deep belief in the importance of authenticity, empowerment, and self-worth and I have a strong desire to positively impact your life. I understand that childhood and adolescence can be challenging at times, filled with various life and family pressures and uncertainties. As your mental health counselor, I will provide guidance and support for desired outcomes and improved well-being. I believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to lead a fulfilling life without unnecessary worries and suffering. I aim to ensure you have the support system necessary to navigate your mental health journey, build resilience, and build a strong sense of self-worth and authenticity.
My Commitment to You
My commitment to you as a youth counselor is to create a space for children to safely express themselves.
My commitment to you is to enhance the counseling experience, therefore, we co-create a treatment process not only with the child, but with the family, to reach your goals and desired outcomes.
(585) 210-0145 ~ youthrivecounseling@gmail.com
Fees
It is up to you as to how often you would like to have your sessions. Ask yourself these questions: What works best for my specific situation? Weekly? Bi-weekly? Every 3 weeks? Monthly?
Individual counseling and parent consultation is billed at the rate of $140.00 for a 50-minute session. A $15.00 discount will be given for cash payments ($125.00/session).
Family counseling is billed at the rate of $155.00 for a 50-minute session. A $15.00 discount will be given for payments in cash ($140.00/session). Sessions are paid by cash, credit card, HSA, or FSA cards.
I do not directly accept insurance. There are several reasons I do not accept insurance. In many cases, insurance-based treatment models prioritize standardized, symptom-focused care, where services are shaped by what can be documented and reimbursed rather than the full complexity of a child’s emotional, developmental, and relational needs. Insurance companies may also limit the number or structure of sessions, which can restrict the ability to engage in deeper, more individualized therapeutic work with children and families.
By choosing not to participate with insurance panels, I am able to provide a more personalized and developmentally responsive approach to care. This allows for greater flexibility in treatment planning, collaboration with parents and caregivers, and the use of interventions tailored to each child’s unique strengths, challenges, and goals. It also helps protect families from unnecessary diagnostic labeling when it may not be clinically appropriate.
In addition, insurance reimbursement requires a formal mental health diagnosis and the submission of detailed treatment information, which becomes part of a child’s permanent medical record and is stored in systems outside of my control. This can limit confidentiality, as information may be reviewed, shared, or accessed by insurance companies, healthcare providers, and other third-party systems. By remaining out-of-network, I am able to maintain a higher level of privacy and confidentiality for the families I work with.
I am happy to provide a “Superbill” upon request. This is a detailed receipt that a healthcare provider gives a patient after services are provided. Patients can submit the Superbill to their insurance company to request reimbursement for out-of-network therapy services. It may be helpful to reach out to your insurance company prior to beginning services to see if you are eligible for reimbursement.
Theories & Interventions
Theories and interventions serve as treatment modalities which provide the necessary framework and scaffolding to support the healing process in addition to developing well-being.
Play Therapy: Developed by Virginia Axline, Play Therapy is a therapeutic approach specifically designed for children. It leverages play as a natural medium through which children can express their feelings, thoughts, and experiences. In a structured, supportive environment, children use toys, games, and creative activities to communicate non-verbally, allowing therapists to gain insight into their inner world. This modality is particularly effective in helping children process emotional and psychological challenges, facilitating therapeutic healing and promoting overall mental health and development.
Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT): PCIT focuses on improving the parent-child relationship and teaching parents specific skills to manage their child’s behavior effectively. The therapy typically involves two phases: Child-Directed Interaction (CDI), where parents learn to strengthen their bond through positive interactions and play, and Parent-Directed Interaction (PDI), where parents are coached in using effective discipline strategies. PCIT has been widely studied and shown to be effective in reducing behavior problems, improving parent-child relationships, and enhancing parenting skills.
Expressive Arts: Expressive Arts Therapy for children is a therapeutic approach that integrates various forms of creative expression, such as art, music, dance, drama, and storytelling to help children explore and communicate their thoughts, feelings, and experiences. This modality recognizes that children may find it easier to express themselves through non-verbal and creative means rather than traditional talk therapy.
To Make an Appointment
Please call me at (585) 210-0145
Email: youthrivecounseling@gmail.com
Or register online https://youthrivecounseling.SecurePatientArea.com
Youthrive Counseling 