Lee Ann Heathcoat, MSEd, LCPC, CADC
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Masters of Science In Education In Counseling
Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor Certified Alcohol and Other Drug Counselor To make an appointment with Lee Ann, please call 630-570-0050. You can also email [email protected].
Substance Use Disorders, Anxiety, Depression, Anger Management, LGBTQ+ Support, Domestic Violence, Panic Disorder, Life Transitions, Dual Diagnosis (Substance Use and Mood Disorders)
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Professional Experience
My journey as a therapist in private practice could be seen as a unique one, but has provided me with a plethora of experience that I would not have otherwise gotten. I obtained my Bachelor Degree in Law Enforcement and Justice Administration from Western Illinois University, and my Masters Degree in Counseling from Northern Illinois University. I am a fully licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and am a Certified Alcohol and Other Drug Counselor (CADC). I’ve been working in the field of psychology and criminal justice for over 20 years. During my years of experience I’ve worked within the court and jail system, employee assistance program, and community mental health.
Specializations and Treatment Approach
I currently treat:
Substance Use Disorders
Anxiety
Depression
Anger Management
Life Transitions
Dual Diagnosis (Substance Use and Mood Disorders)
Bipolar Disorder
As a therapist I strive to provide clients with an emphatic environment that allows for growth and change. I work with adolescents (15 years and older) and adults. I enjoy helping clients develop healthy coping skills when dealing with tough emotions during difficult times. I am passionate about empowering clients to find their inner strength in order to overcome life’s biggest challenges. To do so, I utilize a variety of evidence based therapeutic treatments including: Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Strength-Based Therapy. I’m also continuing to gain knowledge and build skills to utilize Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP).
Substance Use Disorders
Anxiety
Depression
Anger Management
Life Transitions
Dual Diagnosis (Substance Use and Mood Disorders)
Bipolar Disorder
As a therapist I strive to provide clients with an emphatic environment that allows for growth and change. I work with adolescents (15 years and older) and adults. I enjoy helping clients develop healthy coping skills when dealing with tough emotions during difficult times. I am passionate about empowering clients to find their inner strength in order to overcome life’s biggest challenges. To do so, I utilize a variety of evidence based therapeutic treatments including: Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Strength-Based Therapy. I’m also continuing to gain knowledge and build skills to utilize Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP).
About Me
What are my professional and personal values?
Personal values that shape my life are authenticity, empathy, and humor. In our modern digital world, it can be tricky to find true authenticity with Facebook and other social media platforms showing highlight reels of individual's lives. It’s important to me to show up for myself and others around me as my authentic self. Empathy allows me to create an environment not only for myself but for others around me to feel comfortable to truly be themselves without judgment. Being able to have a sense of humor reminds me to not take everything in life too seriously. Life has its ups and downs and sometimes a good laugh can help change a mood.
What are some of my favorite self-care activities?
I enjoy cozying up with a good book and a great cup of coffee or tea. When weather permits I enjoy spending time motorcycle riding and enjoying taking in new sights. Spending time with my family and friends is another great way I enjoy taking care of myself.
What is my favorite quote?
“Fate whispers to the warrior, 'You can not withstand the storm.'
The warrior whispers back, 'I am the storm.”
When I first read this quote it gave me goosebumps and reminded me just how resilient we are as humans; however, oftentimes we forget how strong we are when we’re struggling. I love being able to watch my clients become warriors and withstand the storms that life brings.
What’s the most profound, meaningful, or interesting thing I’ve learned or experienced as a mental health professional?
The most meaningful thing I’ve learned in my journey as a mental health professional is that clients want to be seen and validated. To be able to sit with someone and provide support and validation and really see an individual for all the complexities they are, is an incredible privilege.
Personal values that shape my life are authenticity, empathy, and humor. In our modern digital world, it can be tricky to find true authenticity with Facebook and other social media platforms showing highlight reels of individual's lives. It’s important to me to show up for myself and others around me as my authentic self. Empathy allows me to create an environment not only for myself but for others around me to feel comfortable to truly be themselves without judgment. Being able to have a sense of humor reminds me to not take everything in life too seriously. Life has its ups and downs and sometimes a good laugh can help change a mood.
What are some of my favorite self-care activities?
I enjoy cozying up with a good book and a great cup of coffee or tea. When weather permits I enjoy spending time motorcycle riding and enjoying taking in new sights. Spending time with my family and friends is another great way I enjoy taking care of myself.
What is my favorite quote?
“Fate whispers to the warrior, 'You can not withstand the storm.'
The warrior whispers back, 'I am the storm.”
When I first read this quote it gave me goosebumps and reminded me just how resilient we are as humans; however, oftentimes we forget how strong we are when we’re struggling. I love being able to watch my clients become warriors and withstand the storms that life brings.
What’s the most profound, meaningful, or interesting thing I’ve learned or experienced as a mental health professional?
The most meaningful thing I’ve learned in my journey as a mental health professional is that clients want to be seen and validated. To be able to sit with someone and provide support and validation and really see an individual for all the complexities they are, is an incredible privilege.
Professional Memberships
Blogs:
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Millions of individuals are affected yearly with a substance use disorder. Many individuals seeking help with substance use don't know where to start to make changes and think if they simply no longer use the substances, they'll be ok. Making healthy changes with substance use is a complex issue requiring individuals to explore many facets of their lives. Below are few suggestions to help support healthy changes for substance use...(to read more, click on the link above).
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With the holiday season in full swing, it can be easy to get caught up in the celebrations and overindulgence that can happen during this time of year. Below are a few tips to aid in keeping your sobriety from getting lost in the hustle of the season...Taking the time to prepare in advance for the upcoming holiday season can aid in making the season a success for recovery. If reading the information provided above resonated with you and you may be a good fit for one of my specializations, reach out. I’d like to connect and find out more about how I can support you on your journey...(to read more, click on the link above).
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Back-to-school time is upon us once again and it can be easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the season. Below are some quick tips to help keep your mental health in check while adjusting to a new school year. Get Sleep: It's easy to let sleep slide when you're cramming for exams or spending time with friends; however, not getting enough sleep can take its toll on your mental health. Having a good sleep hygiene plan can increase your chances of being able to fall and stay asleep allowing your brain time to rest and restore itself for another day...(to read more, click on the link above).
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According to data from the 2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, among the 137.4 million respondents aged 12 and older self-reporting current use of alcohol, 44.5% reported binge drinking, with the most prevalent age category being 18-25 years old (29.5%). Among people 12-20 years old, 15.1% used alcohol in the past month. Estimates of binge alcohol use and heavy alcohol use in the past month among underage people were 8.2% and 1.7%, respectively. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate about 178,000 people die from excessive alcohol use in the U.S. each year (SAMHSA, 2024)...(to read more, click on the link above).
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