- Stress and anxiety
- Trauma and grief
- Career and purpose
About Leslie
Leslie Zarker is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) practicing in Missouri with six years of professional experience. She helps people facing stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, low self-esteem, depression, and the challenges that come after big life changes. Leslie also lists life purpose among her areas of focus, and she supports concerns such as grief, relationship issues, intimacy-related struggles, and career questions.
In sessions she aims to make it straightforward to talk about difficult feelings. She encourages honest conversation about what is happening now and what a person wants to change. Conversations are practical and centered on specific problems rather than abstract ideas.
Leslie uses techniques grounded in evidence-based therapeutic approaches to help people manage symptoms and make gradual shifts. She works with things like attachment and abandonment concerns, caregiver stress, body image, and co-occurring issues. She also addresses stresses that affect first responders and people coping with natural or human-caused disasters.
People can expect to explore communication problems, codependency patterns, guilt and shame, and family of origin issues in a clear, step-by-step way. She pays attention to how symptoms such as bipolar disorder or compassion fatigue affect daily routines and relationships. Sessions also look at meaning and direction for those thinking about life purpose.
Leslie conducts work in English and is licensed as MO LPC and IL LCPC. To begin, prospective clients are invited to complete a short matching questionnaire and schedule a first session through the site.
How evidence-based methods translate to online sessions
Leslie uses evidence-based therapeutic techniques that focus on real-world change. One commonly used approach involves structured, problem-focused work to reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression by identifying unhelpful thoughts and testing new behaviors. This helps people notice what keeps stress and low mood going and try practical alternatives.Another approach she applies emphasizes processing experiences related to trauma and abuse in small, contained steps. That method supports building tolerance for difficult memories while developing clearer routines and safety strategies for everyday life.
Choosing the right approach is part of the work. Leslie works collaboratively to decide which techniques match a person's needs, goals, and preferences, and adjusts methods over time based on what is or isn’t helping.
The therapist's session formats are not specified in the biography, so confirm current session options before booking. In general, online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy around work, health care appointments, or caregiving by removing travel time. They can also allow shorter check-ins when that suits the day, or reduce the need to be on camera if someone prefers phone-style conversations. Licensed professionals often use these conveniences to help therapy fit into a client’s routine without promising a particular format.
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 help with?
She helps people with stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, self-esteem, depression, life changes, relationship and intimacy issues, grief, career questions, and life purpose.
How does she approach feeling stuck or directionless?
Her style is practical and conversational, focusing on current problems and small, achievable changes rather than abstract theories.
What experience does she bring?
She has six years of professional counseling experience working with a range of concerns including trauma, caregiver stress, and first responder issues.
What are her credentials and where does she practice?
She holds LPC and LCPC credentials and practices in Missouri; her listed credentials are MO LPC and IL LCPC.
Which languages are supported in sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can international clients work with her?
She is not currently accepting international clients.
How are sessions paid for and what do they cost?
Cost varies by location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I get started with her?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger, use the crisis numbers.