Leesa Contorino, PsyD, ACS

Leesa Contorino, PsyD, ACS

Telehealth Available
Professions: Psychologist, Psychotherapist, Clinical Psychologist
License Status: I'm a licensed professional.
Primary Credential: Clinical Psychologist - 071.010237
Telephone: 708-505-7831
Billing and Insurance:
I am an in-network provider for:
  • Aetna
  • Anthem
  • Blue Choice
  • BlueCross/BlueShield
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS)
  • Meritain Health
  • Optum
  • Optum/United Health Care
  • Optum Health
  • Out of Network Provider
  • Oxford (UnitedHealthcare)
  • UMR
  • United Behavioral Health
  • UnitedHealthcare
  • United Health Care
  • United Healthcare Student Resources
Free Initial Consultation
Evening Availability

Therapy in:

5015 N Paulina Ave
Ste 204
Chicago, Illinois 60640

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What's My Approach to Therapy?

You may be here because you feel overwhelmed. Trauma, eating struggles, and body image concerns can feel heavy and isolating, especially when you’ve also faced rejection or invisibility for being LGBTQ+. It’s exhausting to carry shame, self-doubt, or the sense that your body isn’t a safe place to be. If this sounds familiar, know that you don’t have to go through it alone.

I see you, and I can help. I offer a safe, affirming space where all parts of your identity are welcome. As a trauma-informed therapist, I specialize in supporting LGBTQ+ individuals navigating eating challenges, body image concerns, and the lasting impact of trauma. My goal is to meet you with compassion, curiosity, and respect, so you can feel understood and supported as you begin to heal.

Our work together is collaborative. In our sessions, we’ll move at your pace. We’ll start by exploring your story, identifying patterns that keep you stuck, and creating a plan that feels safe and meaningful. I use relational and somatic approaches, which means we’ll not only talk about your experiences, but also explore how they live in your body, building new ways of connecting with yourself.

Over time, you can expect to release shame, deepen self-trust, and build resilience. Many clients discover more peace with their bodies, more ease in relationships, and a greater sense of authenticity in how they live. Healing isn’t about perfection. Healing is about reclaiming your right to be whole, free, and fully yourself.

Specific Issue(s) I'm Skilled at Helping With

I'm skilled at helping clients work through body image concerns, eating disorders, and the impact of trauma, especially when these struggles intersect with gender and sexuality. I support LGBTQ+ individuals in exploring identity with compassion and affirmation, and I provide letters of support for gender-affirming care as part of a holistic, trauma-informed healing process.

How Psychotherapy Can Help

Psychotherapy can help by giving you a safe, affirming space to process trauma, explore identity, and heal your relationship with your body. It offers tools to challenge shame, build resilience, and develop new coping strategies. Over time, therapy supports deeper self-acceptance, stronger connections, and the freedom to live more authentically.

My Therapy Focus

My therapy focus is supporting LGBTQ+ individuals navigating trauma, eating disorders, and body image struggles. I center relational, somatic, and trauma-informed care to help you release shame, reconnect with your body, and explore gender and sexuality in affirming ways. Together, we work toward resilience, authenticity, and lasting self-acceptance.

Had a Negative Therapy Experience?

If you've had a painful therapy experience, especially one that ignored or harmed your identity, you're not alone. Many queer, trans, neurodivergent, and trauma-impacted people have been dismissed, pathologized, or made to shrink themselves in spaces that were meant to offer care. In our work, your full self is welcome. Your safety, agency, and lived experience come first.

Therapy Services & Specialties

Client Age Groups I Work With

  • Teens
  • Adults

Languages

  • English

Industries & Communities Served

  • First Responder/Medical Professionals
  • Education
  • Self-Employed and Freelance Professionals
  • LGBTQ+
  • BIPOC
  • Union First

Client Challenges & Concerns I Address

  • Abuse / Abuse Survivor Issues
  • Adjusting to Change / Life Transitions
  • Adoption / Reunion Issues
  • Aggression and Violence
  • Anger
  • Anxiety
  • Attachment Issues
  • Autism Spectrum
  • Bipolar
  • Blended Family Issues
  • Body Image
  • Breakup
  • Chronic Illness / Disability
  • Chronic Pain
  • Codependency / Dependency
  • Communication Problems
  • Control Issues
  • Depression
  • Disability
  • Divorce / Divorce Adjustment
  • Domestic Violence
  • Drug and Alcohol Addiction
  • Eating and Food Issues
  • Emotional Abuse
  • Emotional Intelligence
  • Emotional Overwhelm
  • Emptiness
  • Family of Origin Issues
  • Family Problems
  • Fertility Issues
  • Forgiveness
  • Gender Dysphoria
  • Grief, Loss, and Bereavement
  • Habits
  • Health / Illness / Medical Issues
  • Helplessness / Victimhood
  • HIV / AIDS
  • Identity Issues
  • Inadequacy
  • Inattention, Impulsivity, and Hyperactivity (ADHD)
  • Infidelity / Affair Recovery
  • Irritability
  • Isolation
  • Jealousy
  • LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender) Issues
  • Life Purpose / Meaning / Inner-Guidance
  • Midlife Crisis / Midlife Transition
  • Money and Financial Issues
  • Mood Swings / Mood Disturbance
  • Multicultural Concerns
  • Narcissism
  • Obsessions and Compulsions (OCD)
  • Panic
  • Parenting
  • Perfectionism
  • Phobias
  • Physical Abuse
  • Polyamory / Nonmonogamous Relationships
  • Post Partum Depression
  • Posttraumatic Stress / Trauma
  • Pregnancy and Birthing
  • Prejudice / Discrimination
  • Racism
  • Rejection
  • Seasonal Affective (SAD)
  • Self-Actualization
  • Self-Care
  • Self-Compassion
  • Self-Confidence
  • Self-Criticism
  • Self-Doubt
  • Self-Esteem
  • Self-Harm
  • Self-Love
  • Sensitivity to Criticism
  • Sexual Assault / Abuse
  • Sexuality / Sex Therapy
  • Shame
  • Social Anxiety / Phobia
  • Somatization
  • Stress
  • Suicidal Ideation and Behavior
  • Suspiciousness / Paranoia
  • Trust Issues
  • Values Clarification
  • Women's Issues
  • Workplace Issues
  • Worry
  • Worthlessness
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Therapeutic Approaches & Evidence-Based Methods

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