Richie Leveque

Biography

Qualifications & Experience

With 15 years of counseling experience, I hold a Master of Arts degree in Licensed Professional Clinical Counseling from Assemblies of God Theological Seminary and a Bachelor of Arts in Theology with a minor in Youth Ministries and Communications from North Central (Bible College) University, in Minneapolis, MN.

I also received training in Art and Sandplay Therapy and Solution-Focused Therapy, and I have a Child and Adolescent specialty. My prior ministry experience includes serving as an ordained minister, seven years of pastoral counseling, five years as a youth pastor, and six years leading an adult small group at church.

My Call to Christian Counseling

When I was 18 years old, I attended a summer church camp. While there, I felt a strong calling on my life to help people. After serving in ministry and church work for many years, I pursued counseling for myself to clean out my spiritual/emotional/mental closet. After finding myself and my health, I decided to go back to graduate school to become a counselor to help others through the process of growth and healing. From the very first class I took until today, I have never felt such a strong sense of purpose and mission on my life than through the ministry of counseling that God has called me to.

More About Me/On a Personal Note

I am a licensed fitness instructor and teach several group fitness classes. Health, nutrition, and fitness training are big parts of my life and positive outlets for not only helping others but connecting with my community. I am a professional level musician. I sing, play bass guitar, guitar, and some percussion. Music is the soundtrack of my life and another huge positive outlet for me. I am often involved in music and worship teams at churches I attend. I also love to travel and immerse myself in experiences in other countries and cultures. Lastly, I love to write and have already completed two books which are available on Amazon: ADHD By Osmosis and The Wheel of Anger.

Services and Specialities

Areas of Expertise/Specialties

• Abandonment and Neglect
• ADHD
• Aging and Geriatric Issues
• Anger Management
• Anxiety
• Autism
• Chemical Dependency
• Coaching
• Counseling for Children
• Counseling for Teens
• Couples Counseling
• Codependency
• Depression
• Family Counseling
• Grief and Loss
• Group Counseling
• Individual Counseling
• Marriage Counseling
• Men’s Issues
• Online Counseling
• Personal Development
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
• Premarital Counseling
• Professional Development
• Relationship Issues
• Sex and Porn Addiction
• Sexual Abuse
• Spiritual Development
• Trauma
• Weight Loss

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

With specific training in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, I help clients acquire both the physical and emotional tools necessary to work through and understand the traumas they have experienced and then develop more positive ways of coping with their experiences so they can move forward in healing.

Grief and Loss

Of all the therapeutic tools in my therapeutic toolbox, I have utilized grief and loss therapy with more clients than I can number. We all face losses. Losses can occur not only by the death of a loved one, but also with the loss of a marriage, loss of a pet, loss of a job, loss of capability or normality, and in many other ways.

There is no timeline for the duration of the grieving process, and everyone grieves differently. Individuals also grieve different losses differently. Using the principles of grief and loss therapy, along with a biblically-based spiritual approach that offers grace and hope in God, I partner with my clients to walk through the various symptoms and stages of grief toward healing and a better ability to cope with their loss.

Counseling for Children and Teens

Child and adolescent therapies are different from adult therapy. Children do not have coping mechanisms; they have survival mechanisms – and these usually consist of one of two responses: fight or flight. Many times, what we perceive as poor or non-compliant behavior is actually children manifesting the stress and anxiety of their situations and their inability to understand, comprehend, or work through them.

Using therapeutic modalities like art therapy, play therapy, sandplay therapy, and role play, I partner with children and teens to take an objective look at their circumstances and help them acquire more positive feelings about their situations, which often leads to improved behavior.

With a background in executive functioning deficits and children and teens at risk, I am able to recognize and assist with therapeutic interventions and treatments for childhood diagnoses.

Marriage Counseling and Premarital Counseling

Jesus Himself stated in Matthew 19:6 and Mark 10:9, “So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, let not man separate.” God invented man, woman, and marriage, but recent statistics have shown that the divorce rate in the church is just as high as it is outside the church. My experience working with and talking to married couples has shown a recent breakdown in the values and functioning of American families.

Using a combination of biblical and spiritual principles with therapeutic marriage and relationship tools, I work with couples to prepare for their marriage union, get a clear snapshot of what is happening in their relationship, or acquire learning, tools, and resources to tend to their mental, spiritual, and emotional health and their marriage.

Anxiety and Depression

Recent studies have revealed that 1 in 4 American adults deal with depression or anxiety. Depression and anxiety in children and teens have been on the rise in the last few years. A recent US survey found that in 2023, more than 11% of adults (around 28 million people) took a prescription for depression.

One of the driving forces of depression is a lack of hope. 1 Corinthians 13:13 tells us, “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love.” Using both a biblically-based approach and therapeutic interventions based on study and years of experience dealing with depressive symptoms, I will come alongside you and offer support for and treatment of symptoms of depression.

Anger Management Therapy

Anger is something we all experience. Even God gets angry. But God instructs us in Ephesians to “Be angry, but do not sin.” Anger is such a powerful thing, though, that the effects of anger can often result in unwanted harm to ourselves and others.

Anger can sometimes feel like a prison you are in that someone else holds the keys for. Using a model for working through anger and difficult feelings developed from Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy, I can help you get those keys and release yourself from the prison of uncontrolled or pervasive anger. Together we can gain a better understanding of what is happening with you emotionally and work through it to reach the peace that is on the other side. As Philippians says, “Peace that passes all understanding that will guard your heart and your mind in Christ Jesus.”

Payment and Forms

Sessions: I offer 53-minute sessions. Sessions can be held more than once per week, weekly, or every other week. Scheduling options are discussed in greater detail during your Risk-Free Initial Session.

Availability (by office location):

• Stone Oak – Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday
• Alamo Ranch – Thursday and Friday
• Online Counseling – Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday

Fees: I offer a Risk-Free Initial Session for individuals, couples, and groups looking to pursue counseling with me. Please note that there is a fee for the Risk-Free Initial Session as it is a clinical hour and reimbursable to most insurance companies, but if you choose not to reschedule and continue therapy after the initial session, the entire fee for the session will be waived. For ongoing treatment, the full fee per session is required at the time of service.

Insurance: As a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), most insurance companies will reimburse for a portion of my services (as an Out-of-Network Provider). Please consult with your insurance provider as to whether they specifically cover adolescents, individuals, and couples.

Receipts/Statements: In the event you require a printed or digital receipt, I will provide receipts for personal use, insurance reimbursement, Flex Spending Accounts (FSA), and Health Savings Accounts (HSA).

Payment options: Cash, Check, or Credit Card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, & American Express). A fee of up to 4% per transaction may be added for credit card payments.

Payment options: Cash, Check, or Credit Card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, & American Express). A fee of up to 4% per transaction may be added for credit card payments.