About Katie Leikam, LCSW

banner image

Listening to you clearly and seeing you authentically.

About Katie

I didn’t come into this work to sit back and analyze people.

I came into it because I care about whether people actually feel understood.

Many of the people I work with have had experiences where they weren’t listened to—whether that’s in therapy, in medical systems, or in their everyday lives.

They’ve had to explain themselves. They’ve been misunderstood. Sometimes they’ve started to question their own experience because of it.

That’s something I take seriously in my work.

How I Work

Therapy with me is collaborative, direct, and grounded in real life.

My role is not to define your goals—but to support you in defining them for yourself.

Some days, that might mean getting through a medical appointment. Other days, it might mean finishing a task, setting a boundary, or just having a space where you don’t have to explain everything.

Wherever you are, I meet you there.

What We Might Work On

I work with clients navigating a range of experiences, including:

Gender identity and transition A space to explore your identity, navigate transition, or simply exist without having to explain yourself.

Neurodivergence (ADHD & autism) If focus, organization, or masking leaves you feeling exhausted, we work on building systems that actually fit your brain—not forcing you into expectations that don’t.

Chronic illness and medical systems Living with chronic illness can be exhausting. We focus on reducing the emotional toll, pacing in a way that’s sustainable, and navigating systems that don’t always listen.

Religious trauma If you’ve experienced harm in religious spaces, therapy can be a place to process that safely—without pressure around what you “should” believe.

My Background

I’m a licensed clinical social worker and a WPATH GEI SOC8 certified gender specialist, with over a decade of experience working with LGBTQ+ clients.

I also bring lived experience with ADHD and chronic pain, which shapes how I approach pacing, expectations, and what actually feels sustainable in real life.

My work is informed by approaches like CBT, solution-focused therapy, and talk therapy—but more than anything, it’s grounded in the relationship we build.

Outside of Therapy

Outside of work, I recharge through live music, time at home with my dogs and cats, and creative, hands-on things like journaling and working with paper.

Those moments help keep me grounded—and they’re a reminder that healing doesn’t always happen in big breakthroughs, but in smaller, meaningful shifts over time.

Starting Therapy

Starting therapy can feel like a big step—especially if you’ve had experiences where you weren’t understood.

You don’t have to have everything figured out before reaching out.

If you’d like, we can start with a free 10-minute consultation to see if this feels like a good fit

👉 Schedule a consultation



Education & Experience

Licensure & Certifications

Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) — Georgia, North Carolina, Texas

Licensed Independent Social Worker – Clinical Practitioner (LISW-CP) — South Carolina

Registered Telehealth Provider — Florida


WPATH GEI SOC8 Certified Gender Specialist
(World Professional Association for Transgender Health)

Professional Memberships

World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) 

Georgia Society for Clinical Social Work 

National Association of Social Workers 

Secular Therapist Network

Education

Master of Social Work (MSW), University of Georgia

Master of Business Administration (MBA), Mercer

University Bachelor of Science in Psychology, Georgia State University 

Associate of Arts in Psychology, Gordon State College 

Memberships

Press

Katie Leikam, LCSW, LISW-CP has been quoted in the major news outlets.  
She has also been featured on multiple news outlets including The GA Voice, Bustle, and Rewire.

Featured Press & Podcasts

I’ve been featured as an expert in national publications and media outlets, providing insight on mental health, relationships, and gender identity.

Reach Out When You’re Ready

You can use the form below to request an appointment or ask any questions.

I’ll follow up with you as soon as I can so we can talk through what you’re looking for and see if it feels like a good fit.

You don’t need to have everything figured out before reaching out. 

By submitting this form via this web portal, you acknowledge and accept the risks of communicating your health information via this unencrypted email and electronic messaging and wish to continue despite those risks. By clicking "Yes, I want to submit this form" you agree to hold Brighter Vision harmless for unauthorized use, disclosure, or access of your protected health information sent via this electronic means.