LEONARD KLASKOW, LCSW

Leonard is a License Clinical Social Worker who is fluent in English and Spanish, offering bilingual services. 

A native of St. Petersburg, Leonard Klaskow graduated from local schools and attended University of South Florida where he achieved a BS in Psychology.  He then worked in the adult and adolescent psychiatric units of Morton Plant Hospital in Clearwater for 3 plus years before attending Florida State University where he obtained an MSW (Master of Social Work with a specialization in clinical work).  He obtained his clinical license (LSCW) in 1991 and then worked for a statewide network of residential services for children and adolescents where he was promoted six times in 29 years and was awarded the Administrator of the Year with the Coalition for Children in 2003. Leonard worked in a variety of clinical and administrative capacities and also facilitated two year long leadership development classes with the President of the agency.

Leonard has also worked in providing mental health therapy to residents of nursing facilities as a Medicare Provider.

Leonard specializes in the treatment of depression; anxiety; stress reactions and issues related to interpersonal functioning, PTSD and navigating through the unforeseen issues that can surface in life.   Leonard enjoys working with clients to find a path forward from adversity and facilitating a sense of resiliency. Interventions utilized include CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy); RET (Rational Emotive Therapy); Existential Therapy and incorporates mindfulness and emotional intelligence in a great deal of his work. Leonard also uses supportive/interactive therapy with clients to find a sense of meaning and purposefulness in life’s’ challenges as he understands the client’s perspective matters and that they often possess creative ideas themselves to forge ahead. Leonard believes the therapeutic relationship can be a collaborative process whereby clients come to understand the concepts of freedom, responsibility and most importantly, the ownership of choices. Happiness can be fleeting, however, freedom from suffering is indeed possible for all.