A warm, professionally decorated counseling office with cozy seating, bookshelves, soft lighting, and a window overlooking a railway track, representing Elko Counseling’s welcoming therapy environment in Dallas and virtual services across Texas.

Leigh Barnett, M.ED, LPC, NCC

Licensed Professional Counselor
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Trained
Gottman Trained in Couples Therapy
Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT)Trained
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Trained

Accepts: Blue Cross Blue Shield, UnitedHealthcare, Aetna, and Out of Network Benefits
Rate: $145 per hour session

Schedule with Leigh

LEIGH BARNETT – OWNER OF ELKO COUNSELING

Leigh Barnett, LPC

Therapist in Dallas Offering In-Person and Virtual Therapy in Texas

As a therapist in Dallas and the owner of Elko Counseling, I provide in-person therapy in Dallas and virtual therapy throughout Texas. I earned my Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and my Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from The University of Mississippi. I grew up in central Mississippi and have called Dallas home for the past 13 years.

I’ve been practicing for 15 years and have worked in psychiatric hospitals, community nonprofit clinics, and private practices across Dallas. During my time at Terrell State Hospital and Metrocare Services, I managed outpatient programs for individuals navigating severe mental illness and substance use, as well as a Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) program supporting those with mood and personality disorders.

I have significant experience working with adults, teens, couples, and families. I support clients struggling with depression, anxiety (including PTSD, OCD, social anxiety, and phobias), Bipolar Disorder, schizophrenia, personality disorders, substance use, trauma-related concerns, self-esteem, family conflict, and identity-related issues.

I’m also trained in EMDR therapy, which I use to help clients process trauma and shift negative beliefs about themselves.

I truly love what I do. I love hearing people’s stories and connecting with them, whether we’re walking through something deeply painful or celebrating a goal they’ve worked toward for years. I’m very direct and honest. I use minimal “therapy talk” and value real-life conversations that lead to measurable progress.

If you’re looking for a therapist in Dallas who brings both clinical depth and practical tools into the room, my goal is to help you feel steady, clear, and equipped for real change outside of sessions.

I originally became a therapist after losing a close friend in high school and growing up around addiction in my family. While those experiences shaped me, what keeps me in this field today is my clients — their growth, their low moments, and their willingness to keep showing up.

I’m an MS girl through and through. My family and I travel back to Oxford often for Ole Miss football games and to enjoy the slower pace of life. At home in Dallas, I’m raising four kids (10, 6, 5, and 8 months), so life is full and busy in the best way.

If you’d like to learn more about what therapy looks like before scheduling, visit our What to Expect page or request an appointment.