- Stress and anxiety
- Trauma and abuse
- Self esteem
About Leslie
Leslie Zarker is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) practicing in Missouri with six years of experience. She focuses on stress and anxiety, trauma and abuse, self-esteem, depression, and related concerns listed in her profile. Leslie speaks English and works with adults seeking support for these issues.
She keeps sessions straightforward and conversational. She helps people name what feels overwhelming and then breaks problems into small, manageable steps. Leslie uses practical exercises and reflection to help people notice patterns in thinking and behavior that keep problems stuck.
Leslie aims to make the first sessions simple and clear. She listens to what matters most and helps set short-term goals for what to work on first. Many clients begin by focusing on symptoms such as panic, worry about social situations, low mood, or sleep disruption.
Over time she adds tools that fit each person’s life. That might include practicing new ways of approaching difficult situations, strategies for handling strong emotions, or building everyday routines that support mood and energy. She also addresses relational patterns like attachment concerns and communication problems when they come up.
Her background includes work with people coping with grief, caregiver stress, career pressures, first responder issues, and overlapping diagnoses like bipolar or co-morbidity. Leslie expects therapy to be a collaborative process and checks in regularly about what helps and what needs to change.
If someone wants to start, she asks them to complete a short matching questionnaire and schedule a first session through the online options button. Sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
Evidence-based methods and online sessions
Leslie draws on evidence-based therapeutic techniques that focus on changing unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns. Cognitive-behavioral approaches involve identifying thought patterns that increase worry or low mood and practicing alternative responses. These methods are commonly used for anxiety, social worry, and depressive symptoms.She also incorporates exposure-based strategies when appropriate, which involve gradual, guided practice with feared situations. This helps reduce avoidance and build confidence facing social or performance-related fears over time. Both approaches are practical and action-oriented, with homework and real-world practice between sessions.
Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist and client review goals, try methods, and adjust what is being used based on what helps. Leslie checks in regularly to make sure the plan fits the client’s needs and daily life.
Confirm the current session options before booking, since specific formats are not listed in the biography. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy schedule, require less travel, and allow for shorter check-ins when needed. Talk with Leslie about session length and timing so sessions can fit around work, caregiving, or other responsibilities.
Areas of expertise
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Experience
6+ years
Listed in
Illinois, Missouri
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does she address?
She works with stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, depression, self-esteem, relationship and grief issues, plus related concerns listed in her profile.
What is her approach in sessions?
Sessions are conversational and practical. She helps people notice patterns, set small goals, and use exercises to change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors.
How much experience does she have?
She has six years of professional experience as a clinician working with the concerns named in her profile.
What are her credentials and location?
She is an LPC in Missouri and an LCPC in Illinois, and she practices from Missouri.
Which languages are supported?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can international clients work with her?
She does not accept international clients at this time.
How are sessions billed?
Sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time and the cost varies with location.
How do I begin a therapy relationship?
Use the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule a first session.