Origin Story

Long before Therapy Today was a concept, I remember my lonely and awkward 13-year-old self thinking, “when I grow up, I am going to be the person that someone like me can talk to”. At that time, I felt alone with some painful emotional difficulties, and I was unable to identify anyone to talk about them with. This experience so many of us have had is the driving force behind Therapy Today’s existence – to make that person-to-talk-to as accessible as a gallon of milk at the corner store. In fact, the company’s guarantee is that no one has to be alone with a difficult problem for long because you can schedule a same-day appointment for help when you need it.

For 15 years, I was a private practice therapist working alone in an office, doing all of my own scheduling and administrative work. My caseload was completely full, and I also received several calls per week from clients requesting to start therapy. It was heartbreaking for me to have to say no when it has always been my aim to be there for people when they need someone to talk to.
My lifelong promise to be that person that someone could talk to when in need, began to blossom into an idea for a therapy practice that could reliably provide that, even when my personal schedule was full: Therapy Today – where people would not have to wait so long.

I had also begun to notice that doing my own administrative work, while carrying a full caseload, was not sustainable if I wanted to help all of the people that I could. I began to dream of a practice where therapists were so exquisitely and completely supported, they could put all their focus and effort into providing the best possible therapy. I dreamt of flowers in every room, coffee and tea for clients and therapists, cozy and beautiful offices, reliable billing and scheduling, every detail of support for the work of therapy all handled seamlessly for the therapist.

This dream of mine was just too good to leave as mere musing. I began to recognize a fire in my belly with every new call asking for therapy that I could not accommodate. I had to try…

Though I had never run a business or had employees, I set out to learn and it was a true labor of love! When Therapy Today opened in 2012, it could boast only one therapist on staff – me. Slowly but surely that number grew and today we have over 50 therapists committed to the same vision and values to provide the best possible support for anyone experiencing painful emotional difficulties. Therapy Today is my dream come true.

Leslie Auld, LMSW, ACSW