About Katie Leikam, LCSW

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Gender Identity Therapy for Exploration, Clarity, and Support

Where you don’t have to explain your identity to be understood 

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—and what happens when they don’t.

Many of the clients I work with are transgender or gender-questioning and have spent years trying to make sense of their identity.

Some have questioned quietly for a long time. Some are early in exploring. Others have already transitioned and are navigating what comes next.

A lot of them have had experiences where they weren’t fully understood—whether in therapy, medical systems, or their everyday lives.

They’ve had to explain themselves. They’ve been second-guessed. And 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 identity or make decisions for you.

It’s to help you understand what you’re experiencing—so you can move forward in a way that feels clear, stable, and your own.

Some days, that might mean exploring thoughts you’ve had for years but never said out loud.

Other days, it might mean navigating transition decisions, family dynamics, or simply having a space where you don’t have to explain yourself.

Wherever you are in your process, I meet you there.

What We Might Work On

I specialize in working with transgender and gender-diverse clients, including:

Gender identity and transition Exploring your identity, making sense of long-standing thoughts or feelings, and navigating transition in a way that feels grounded and supported.

Neurodivergence (ADHD & autism) Many of the clients I work with are neurodivergent. We focus on understanding patterns, reducing burnout, and building systems that actually fit how your brain works.

Chronic illness and navigating systems For clients managing chronic illness or pain, we focus on pacing, sustainability, and navigating systems that don’t always listen.

Religious trauma Processing experiences in religious spaces and rebuilding a sense of safety and autonomy in your beliefs.

My Background

I’m a licensed clinical social worker and a WPATH SOC 8 certified gender specialist, with over a decade of experience working with transgender and LGBTQ+ clients.

My work includes:

  • supporting clients through gender exploration and identity development
  • working with clients across all stages of transition
  • providing letters for medical transition when appropriate
  • building long-term therapeutic relationships that extend beyond initial evaluations

I also bring lived experience with ADHD and chronic pain, which shapes how I approach pacing, expectations, and what is actually 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 activities.

Those moments help keep me grounded—and they’re a reminder that growth 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 fully 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.