LESLIE M. SESSLEY, LCSW

I specialize in helping individuals and families understand how to grow old and be caregivers in healthy ways. I believe individuals and families need support in later life and elderhood development. Some examples may be helping individuals and families deal with being newly diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease, helping caregivers of those diagnosed with neurological disorders have better life balance and boundaries, or helping elders and their caregivers deal with depression and anxiety. With a family history of neurocognitive disorders, I have witnessed the feelings of loss and grief from such disorders.  I have also witnessed family members have a deeper understanding of themselves and of those they were chosen to care for.  My personal and professional experience can help with the process of going through such challenges.

I am licensed in the practice of clinical social work. Over the past 14 years, I have worked with the older adult population and their caregivers in non-profit, public and private sectors. While passionate about all aging issues, I am fiercely dedicated to helping caregivers of older adults.  I have received awards from AARP and The Governor’s Office for my work with intergenerational families and caregivers in the state of Georgia.  I am an active member of the Georgia Gerontology Society, having served on its Board of Directors, Membership, and Scholarship Review Committees.

LICENSE:

• Licensed Clinical Social Worker

EDUCATION:

University of Pittsburgh (Pittsburgh, PA)

• Master of Social Work - Major: Social Administration; Concentration: Community Organizing

Virginia Union University (Richmond, VA)

• Bachelor in Social Work

EXPERIENCE:

• Over ten years of experience in mental health for older adults and their caregivers including family therapy.
• Fifteen years of experience in managing and supervising home and community-based programs for older adults and their caregivers in non-profit, public, and university settings.

SPECIALIZED TRAINING:

• Three year post-graduate training and residency in Marriage and Family Therapy at the Marriage and Family Therapy Institute at The Link Counseling Center (Atlanta, GA).

AWARDS:

• Recipient of the AARP Power of One Award for work with intergenerational families and caregivers in the State of Georgia.
• Recipient of The Governor's Commendation for Customer Service Award for work with intergenerational families and caregivers in the State of Georgia.

PUBLICATION:

• King, S., Kropf, N., Perkins, M., Sessley, L., Burt, C., & Lepore, L. (2009). Kinship Care in Rural Georgia Communities: Responding to Needs and Challenges of Grandparent Caregivers. Journal of Intergenerational Relationships.

RADIO:

• Talk show radio guest speaking about the topic, “Mental Health and Aging,” for Atlanta Business Radio X, May 3, 2016.

SEMINARS:

• Develop and teach seminars for professional therapists, geriatric case managers, and caregivers regarding such topics as “Complexities of Caring for an Older Family Member", “Intergenerational Caregiving,” “Suicide Prevention in Older Adults,” and other caregiving and aging parent issues.