Calli Leighton – River Tree

Calli Leighton, MMFT

Calli enjoys walking alongside of and helping people live up to their full potential. She greatly believes in the strengths each person has inside of them and is passionate about helping the client see that themselves. She works with families, couples, and individuals of all ages to engage in richer and fuller lives by means of healing wounds, both individually and relationally. Her practice is influenced by an integrative systemic model of therapy including Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Emotion-Focused Therapy, as well as Bowen Family Systems. Additionally, Calli works to integrate psychological, spiritual, social, and biological aspects of a person’s life.

Calli received her Bachelors in Music from Belmont University and her Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy from Lipscomb University. In addition to Counseling, she has worked previously in the Music Therapy, primarily working with children and adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and their caretakers, which led her to the path she is on now of working with individuals, couples, and families.

Concentrations

Depression
Family Conflict
Marriage Counseling
Relationship Issues
Spiritual Issues

Education

MMFT Marriage and Family Therapy, Lipscomb University

BM Music Therapy, Belmont University

Training & Certifications

Pre-Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

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The Basics

Where are you from?

Carrollton, TX

Do you have pets?

No 🙁 but I am a dog-aunt to the most precious pup in the world named Honey

Describe yourself in five words.

Patient, Funny, Wise, Encouraging, Honest

About Your Practice

How did you get into this profession?

I got into this profession for two reasons. First, I participated in family therapy when I was a child because of trauma we went through as a family. I attended play therapy and even at such a young age, it was a very memorable and impactful experience for me. Secondly, I have worked with so many people with special needs and their caretakers and have seen first-hand the way the family needs each other and feeds off of each other, especially in a sensitive setting like that. Because of those past experiences, I want each person within a family to feel like they can reach out and receive the support they need, while growing in relationship with one another.

Who has influenced your work?

I am greatly impacted by the writings and teachings of Henri Nouwen and Charles Spurgeon. Additionally, authors M. Scott Peck and Brene Brown inspire me to continuing learning and growing.

How does your faith play itself out in your work?

My faith daily impacts the work that I do. On a grand level, I understand that the redemptive power of Jesus Christ is the only thing that can heal the problems my clients enter into therapy with. Because I am powerless over struggles and issues, all I can do is listen to where The Lord is guiding me and make sure the things I am saying to clients is rooted in the truth of Jesus. Additionally, if a client wants to bring their faith and/or relationship with God into therapy, I am more than willing to allow that conversation to take place and refer to scripture and prayer when necessary.