DR. LESLIE M. FARIS

Dr. Leslie M. Faris is a licensed psychologist who has worked in psychological services for over 30 years. Along with a thriving private practice, she’s worked with male and female inmates in the State Penitentiaries, and the Federal Bureau of Prisons, at the Baylor Pain Management Center, LGBTQ Center, and in both inpatient and outpatient mental hospital settings. “I have taught various courses, have been a regular at speaking engagements, have published works in the field of psychology, and have a book currently in print on parenting today’s teenagers,” said Dr. Faris. “ I started my education as a journalist and I am so thankful that God steered me in the direction of helping others through psychological services instead.” Though she admits that she loves writing—her true joy comes from helping others thrive in the midst of life’s storms. When we asked about her greatest professional accomplishment, she said that was a tough question to answer. “It is the little daily accomplishments that culminate into great things. Helping suicidal patients find a reason to live has become a daily occurrence since 2020, so maybe that will become my greatest professional accomplishment.” Her future goals include paying attention to where God needs her, and to continue helping others through her private practice, speaking engagements, courses, and book writing.

“Like Erma Bombeck says, ‘When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left and could say I used everything you gave me.’” At the end of any long day nothing makes Dr. Faris happier than to spend time with her husband, their three boys, and their house full of pets. “I love painting, writing, and anything creative... I am always immersed in some sort of creative project in my spare time.”

ACCOMPLISHMENTS, ORGANIZATIONS AND

VOLUNTEER / PARTICIPATE AT:

Fort Worth Food & Wine Festival

Taste of Grapevine

DFW Restaurant Week Top 10

Winter Restaurant Week

Celebrity Chefs (Chair for 2023)

Steak of the Arts

Make a Wish Delicious Wishes

Boys & Girls Club Party for a Purpose

Colleyville Women’s Club Fundraiser

Mid-Cities SOS Celebrity Chef 2023

GRACE Transitional

Housing Galentine’s Dinner

Created and hosted a 4 course dinner

Dine To Donate for GRACE

Created mini Restaurant Week for Colleyville and Grapevine Chefs

ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN:

James Beard Foundation

Bootcamp for Policy & Change

Tarrant County Restaurant Assoc.

National Restaurant Association

Ben Barber Culinary Academy

Colleyville & Grapevine Chambers

American Culinary Foundation

Meat & Lamb Australia

Brand Ambassador

Independent Restaurant Coalition

Texas Chefs Association

HONORS / RECOGNITION:

Grapevine Business Hall of Fame

Arts League Shining Star of the Year

Grace Volunteer of the Year 2022

Texas Restaurant Association

Tarrant County Restaurateur of the Year