The LEAP Model is a communication tool designed to help you build trust, reduce conflict, and better support someone who is struggling with their mental health – especially if they are in distress, resistant to help, or have difficulty seeing the impact of their condition.

Originally developed by Dr. Xavier Amador (and widely used in mental health and crisis intervention settings), the LEAP model stands for:

L – Listen

Listen to understand, not to respond.

This means offering your full attention – without judgement, interruption, or trying to “fix” the problem.

Tips for effective listening:

• Use open body language and eye contact (if appropriate)
• Nod or give small verbal cues (“I see,” “That sounds tough”)
• Avoid jumping in with solutions
• Let silences sit – they can give space for deeper sharing

💡 Your goal is to understand their experience, even if you don’t agree with it.

E – Empathise

Reflect back what you’ve heard with compassion.

Empathy shows the other person that you truly understand and respect how they feel – even if their beliefs or behaviours seem unusual or irrational to you.

Try saying:

• “That sounds really overwhelming – I can see why you’d feel that way.”
• “It makes sense that you’re upset, given everything you’ve been dealing with.”
• “I can’t imagine how hard that must be – thank you for telling me.”

💡 Empathy builds connection and lays the groundwork for trust.

A – Agree

Find common ground – however small.

This step is especially useful when someone is resistant to support or disagrees with your perspective. You don’t need to agree with everything they say – just identify something you can both agree on.

Examples of common ground:

• “We both want you to feel better.”
• “We can agree that things are hard right now.”
• “We both want to make work feel less stressful for you.”

💡 Agreement reduces defensiveness and creates a sense of shared purpose.

P – Partner

Work together to explore next steps.

Now that you’ve built trust, you can gently introduce options for support – as a partner, not an authority. Focus on collaboration, not persuasion.

Try saying:

• “Would it be okay if we looked at some support options together?”
• “What would help you feel more in control right now?”
• “If you ever feel ready to speak to someone, I can go with you or help you find the right person.”

💡 Partnership means supporting the person at their pace, respecting their autonomy.

When to Use the LEAP Model

The LEAP Model is especially useful when:

• Someone is in denial about their mental health condition
• You’re facing resistance or mistrust 
• You’re trying to reduce tension or de-escalate a situation
• You want to build a supportive relationship without pressure

The LEAP model is about connecting first, supporting second. When people feel heard, valued, and understood, they are far more likely to open up and consider support.

You don’t need to have all the answers. Just by listening with empathy and building trust, you can make a meaningful difference.