Licensed Professional Counselor
MA, LPC
Therapy for women ages 18+
Leigh Heckman
If you’ve been feeling tired of holding everything together, worn down by the world, or quietly carrying a sense that something in you needs more space to breathe — you’re not alone.
I work with adults who are navigating grief, burnout, identity shifts, chronic stress, and the heavy weight of modern life. Many of the people I work with are thoughtful, sensitive, and deeply aware of the world around them — and are feeling the emotional impact of trying to live, care, and stay connected in a fast-moving and often overwhelming world.
My work is slow, relational, and grounded in the body. Together, we gently explore the parts of you that learned how to cope, stay strong, or stay quiet — and we make space for what’s been pushed aside along the way. I draw from trauma-informed and somatic therapy, parts work, inner child and grief work, always at a pace that honors your nervous system.
I believe therapy is inherently spiritual/soul centered. At the same time, I hold that a whole and meaningful spirituality is one that recognizes nuance, power, and social context — and is rooted in compassion rather than bypassing or positivity. My lens is grounded in collective liberation and a social-justice-informed approach to healing. I welcome clients who are politically aware, justice-oriented, and looking for a therapy space where their values and lived realities don’t have to be left at the door.
If you’re drawn to therapy that is honest, grounded, and human — and you’re open to slowing down, listening inward, and being met with care rather than quick fixes — we may be a good fit.
About Me:
I enjoy craft projects like sewing - but mostly I buy fabric and plan to sew, but the execution needs some work. I love being outside, connecting with the natural world, as well as yoga and movement. I love all things cats, and psychospiritual exploration.
Education:
MA, Mindfulness Based Transpersonal Counseling, Naropa University 2023
What are your top specialties?
Anxiety, depression, grief, identity issues, highly sensitive people, life transitions, spirituality, and somatic work.
What would you say to someone considering therapy with you?
Safety and trust are pillars of our connection. I’m committed to understanding how your particular lived experiences have shaped you.
What insurance do you accept?
BCBS PPO, Aetna, Anthem, and Cigna/Evernorth.
What does a typical session with you look like?
Sessions are an invitation to slow down, listen inward, and reconnect with the wisdom of your body. Together, we blend talk therapy, somatic awareness, and relationship-based work to create a space that feels both grounded and sacred. Rather than rushing to fix, we follow the body’s cues — a tightening, an image, an emotion — and explore what each may be trying to communicate. Our work is rooted in curiosity, compassion, and the belief that healing unfolds through presence and connection. Sessions often feel spacious, gentle, and deeply human, supporting you in becoming more at ease and at home within yourself.
Who is your ideal client?
Deep feelers, creatives and highly sensitive souls. I love working with people who feel “too much” or misunderstood. I help them honor their emotional world as a source of wisdom rather than shame, and to channel their sensitivity into self-understanding, purpose, and embodied aliveness. I am passionate about working with people who understand that our wounds are not individual but collective. My approach honors the social, historical, and spiritual dimensions of healing, recognizing that liberation is both internal and communal.
How do clients describe you?
Authentic, funny and funky.
Leigh’s Approach
Sessions with me will be person-centered and collaborative. I’m following your lead because I trust your inner knowingness will get us where we need to be.
Mindfulness-based transpersonal therapy is a blend of traditional talk therapy, mindfulness, and spiritual or meaning-centered exploration. In sessions, we slow down and pay attention to what’s happening in the present moment — in your thoughts, emotions, and body — with curiosity instead of judgment. This mindfulness helps you notice patterns and reactions as they arise, creating space for choice and compassion. We’ll also utilize somatic work, mindfulness and depth psychology.
Click here for more detailed information on therapeutic modalities.
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Mindfulness-based transpersonal therapy is a blend of traditional talk therapy, mindfulness, and spiritual or meaning-centered exploration.
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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a structured, goal-oriented type of talk therapy that can help manage mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety, and emotional concerns, such as coping with grief or stress.
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Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) is an evidence-based program designed to reduce stress & enhance wellbeing through mindfulness practices, like meditation, body scans & mindful movement. to encourage present-moment awareness & acceptance.
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Somatic therapy is a form of body-centered therapy that looks at the connection of mind and body and uses both talk therapy and physical therapies for holistic healing.
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Trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT) addresses the mental health needs of people suffering from the destructive effects of early trauma.
Top Specialties:
Burnout
Highly Sensitive People
Mindfulness
Somatic Work
Areas of Expertise:
Anxiety
Depression
Grief
Identity Issues
Inner Child Healing
Life Transitions
Mind-Body Integration
Mood Disorders
Relationship Issues
Self Esteem
Self Compassion
Spirituality
Women's Issues
Book with Leigh.
Interested in working together? Fill out the form below, call (630) 940-6828 or email scheduling@paderatherapy.com. We also offer a 15-minute free phone consultation.
Questions about insurance?
Give us a call or email scheduling@paderatherapy.com. We can often work with insurance companies if we are out-of-network. If we are an out-of-network provider or you do not have insurance, our rate is currently $135.00 for a 53 minute session. However, we also offer reduced rates in special circumstances. Finances should never be a deterrent for seeking help! We work with families to come up with a number that works for you.