LESLIE M. SESSLEY
I am a compassionate leader committed to helping individuals and families understand how to grow old and be caregivers in healthy ways. I am a licensed clinical social worker and licensed marriage and family therapist with over a decade of experience in mental health for older adults and their caregivers. I also come with over fifteen years of experience in managing and supervising home and community-based programs for older adults and their caregivers in the nonprofit, public, and private setting.
During my time at the state of Georgia’s Division of Aging Services, I spent a significant amount of time working with grandparents who raise grandchildren. In that process, I learned a lot about the families and why the aging or older adults may be struggling, which fueled my interest in the family dynamics of aging.
I studied more about these family systems and completed a three year residency program from the Marriage and Family Therapy Training Institute at The Link Counseling Center. 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.
Lastly, with my own family history of neurocognitive disorders, I have witnessed the feelings of loss and grief from such disorders. I have also witnessed family members gain a deeper understanding of themselves and of those they were chosen to care for. I look forward to bringing my personal and professional experience to help you with the process of going through such challenges.
