Your Healing and Growth Start Here

You didn’t come this far to stop

About Me

Hi there, I’m Les, an Associate Licensed Professional Counselor at Connect Counseling in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. My journey to counseling has been anything but ordinary. After earning my bachelor’s degree from the University of Central Florida, I spent many years in the retail world, honing my understanding of people and the art of connection. When the pandemic brought life into sharp focus, I followed my passion for helping others and completed my Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Shippensburg University. Now, I’m grateful to walk alongside my clients as they navigate their own paths toward healing.

One of the things I believe makes me an effective counselor is that I’ve sat in the client’s chair myself. Growing up in a turbulent home, I was placed in group homes and foster care as a teenager. Despite the odds, I became one of the small percentage of foster youth to earn a college degree. These experiences taught me resilience and gave me a deep understanding of how trauma shapes us—and how we can rise above it. I approach my work with empathy and humility, always beginning with the belief that my clients are the experts in their own lives. From there, I provide tools for coping, foster emotional growth, and support deeper self-healing that feels both authentic and, when desired, spiritually enriching.

Outside of my work, I’m an active member of the Unitarian Universalist church and the recovery community. I recharge by hiking, exploring photography, and sharing quiet moments with my orange cat, S. Samuel O’Malley—better known as Mr. Kitty. My personal and professional lives are grounded in the values of connection and compassion, and I am honored to support my clients in creating meaningful change in their own lives.