LEAP Behavioral Health

10/28/2026

Meet Margarita Garza, LPC-A
Compassionate, Bilingual Counseling at LEAP!

At LEAP, we believe everyone deserves a space where they feel heard, understood, and supported. We're excited to introduce Margarita Garza, Licensed Professional Counselor Associate!

A Compassionate, Personalized Approach

Margarita brings a warm, collaborative, and trauma-informed approach to counseling. She helps clients navigate life's challenges, develop healthy coping skills, and work toward meaningful change at their own pace.

Offering counseling in English and Spanish, Margarita recognizes the importance of culture, family, and personal experiences in shaping our mental health.

Experience, Education & Advocacy

Before becoming a counselor, Margarita spent years as a bilingual educator, mentor, and family engagement specialist. She is currently pursuing doctoral studies and serves as co-chair of the Connecticut Counseling Association's fall counseling conference.

You Don't Have to Have Everything Figured Out to Begin

Margarita believes therapy should meet you where you are. Whether you're navigating difficult emotions, life transitions, or simply need someone to talk to, she's here to help you take that first step.

Interested in scheduling with Margarita?

https://leapbehavioralhealth.com/contact-us or directly https://leapbehavioralhealth.com/margarita-garza/

📞 (860) 383-7090

About

10/26/2026

Happy Monday!

A little reminder for anyone who needs to hear this today.

You don't have to be productive every moment. You don't have to finish everything on your list before you deserve a break.

Rest is part of taking care of yourself, not something you need to earn.

10/23/2026

Feeling Nervous About Your Child's PPT? You're Not Alone

Six ways to feel more prepared:

1. Bring a support person. You don't have to go alone. A partner, family member, friend, or advocate can take notes, help you stay on track, and remind you of the points you wanted to make. They can also help you talk it through afterward.

2. Write your questions down ahead of time. Nerves can make your mind go blank. Jot down your concerns in the days before the meeting, then bring the list with you. Take notes during the meeting too, so you don't have to remember everything.

3. Ask every question you have. There are no silly questions at a PPT. If you don't understand a term, a test score, or a goal, ask. It's your right, and the team should explain it in plain language.

4. Go in assuming good intent. Most school staff care about your child and are stretched thin. Starting from that place can help the conversation stay calm and productive. If you worry your nerves will come across as frustration, practice what you want to say with someone you trust.

5. Remember the plan can change. You can request another PPT at any time if something isn't working. Get contact information for the team before you leave so you can follow up when new concerns come up.

6. Give yourself time. Advocating for your child is a process, not a single meeting. Each PPT builds your confidence, and you'll get more comfortable speaking up.

You know your child best
The school brings data. You bring everything else: how your child does at home, what helps, what's hard, and who they are outside the classroom. That perspective belongs at the table.

If PPT meetings, school stress, or anxiety are weighing on your child or your family, you don't have to handle it alone please reach out to us, we have dedicated Advocates that can support you.

10/21/2026

Does your child get stomachaches or headaches on school mornings that seem to disappear by the weekend? That pattern has a name: school avoidance, and it’s more common than most parents realize.

For a lot of kids, the symptoms are real but the cause is anxiety. Worries about grades, friends, a teacher, bullying (including online), or even using the school bathroom can show up as a body that “feels sick.”

A few tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics:

Start with your pediatrician to rule out a medical cause.
Talk with your child about what’s going on. Listen, stay calm, and problem-solve together.
Aim for a quick return. The longer a child stays home, the harder going back gets.
Loop in the school. Teachers, the school nurse, and counselors can help.
Keep mornings steady and low-key. Less talk about symptoms, more routine.
For bigger anxiety, a gradual return (a class or two, then half days) can help.
If they do stay home, keep it an ordinary day: supervised, no extra screen time or treats.

If school avoidance lasts more than a week, or your child is struggling to separate from you, it may be time to bring in a mental health professional. You don’t have to figure this out alone.

Read the full article on HealthyChildren.org: https://www.healthychildren.org/english/health-issues/conditions/emotional-problems/pages/school-avoidance.aspx?

For some children, being at school, away from home and apart from their parents, causes great anxiety. Especially when faced with situations they fear or with which they believe they cannot cope, they may try to keep from returning to school. Here are tips that can help when your child does not wan...

10/19/2026

Meet Amanda Lamb-Moretti
Licensed Master Social Worker

Hi, my name is Amanda Lamb-Moretti. I am Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) with 10 years of experience providing compassionate care to adults and older adults navigating life transitions. I also have extensive experience working with caregivers who are supporting loved ones living with Alzheimer’s or other Dementia.

Understanding that no two journeys are alike, I take a holistic approach to therapy. I tailor each session to meet the unique goals, strengths and preferences of the client. I utilize a combination of strength-based and solution-focused therapeutic techniques while also pulling from a diverse range of evidenced-based modalities to best align with your needs and goals.
I believe that healing and growth happen when you feel heard, so it is my goal to create a warm, safe and non-judgmental space where you can share your story. I work alongside clients to identify their resilience, build practical strategies and coping mechanisms, and help navigate life’s challenges with greater clarity and confidence.

When you are ready to connect, I welcome you to reach out. I am here to support you on your journey.

https://leapbehavioralhealth.com/amanda-lamb-moretti/

10/16/2026

💬 What's ONE small thing you did for your mental health this week?

Your answer might be exactly what someone else needs to hear today. 💙

10/14/2026

Sometimes, getting through today is enough. 💙

You don't need to have everything figured out. You don't need to know what tomorrow will bring or how you'll navigate every challenge ahead.

Sometimes, all you need to do is focus on the next small step.

Even on the hardest days, your story is still being written.

At LEAP Behavioral Health, we believe that everyone deserves support, compassion, and a safe space to find their way forward.

You don't have to navigate the difficult moments alone.

10/12/2026

WE'RE HIRING! Join the LEAP Team!

We're looking for motivated Psychologists, LCSWs, LPCs, BCBAs, and LMFTs who want to make an impact!

What We Offer:

Flexible scheduling with telehealth and hybrid models available

Competitive pay with rates based on caseload

Administrative support. We handle billing and scheduling so you can focus on clients!

Requirements:

Active licensure in Connecticut

Experience in telehealth preferred, but not required

Passion for delivering high-quality care

Ready to join our team?

Apply today and become part of LEAP Behavioral Health!

🌐 www.leapbehavioralhealth.com

📧 [email protected]

📞 (860) 383-7090

Help us make a difference, one client at a time!

10/11/2026

Today we were honored to be a part of the Hope After Loss event and 5k. We were able to meet families and other providers that help support families in their journey with hope after loss.

10/10/2026

💙 Today is World Mental Health Day!

October 10 is a reminder that mental health matters. Not just today, but every single day.

Mental health isn't just about getting through difficult moments. It's about feeling connected, finding balance, building healthy relationships, and having the support you need to thrive.

At LEAP, we believe mental health care should be compassionate, accessible, and centered around the whole person.

Whether you're navigating anxiety, depression, family challenges, life transitions, or simply feeling overwhelmed, you deserve to be heard, understood, and supported.

Taking care of your mental health isn't selfish. It's essential.

Today, we encourage you to check in with yourself, reach out to someone you care about, and remember that asking for help is a sign of strength.

💙 Your mental health matters. You matter.

📍 Farmington, CT
📞 Call/Text: (860) 383-7090
🌐 www.leapbehavioralhealth.com