Today we’d like to introduce you to John Leber.
Hi John, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Like a lot of people in this profession, I didn’t take a straight path. I’ve always been fascinated by people—their stories, why they struggle, and more importantly, what helps them move forward. That curiosity eventually led me to become a Licensed Professional Counselor and later a Certified Health Coach. For over two decades I’ve had the privilege of walking alongside individuals and couples during some of the hardest seasons of their lives.
Along the way, my understanding of therapy has evolved. Early in my career I was focused on helping people reduce symptoms. Today I’m much more interested in helping people discover meaning, responsibility, and hope. I believe healing isn’t just about feeling better; it’s about becoming more fully alive.
In addition to my private practice, I co-host a podcast called After the Session with my friend and fellow therapist, Dwain Sliger. We wanted to create something that sounded like two therapists sitting on a back porch over coffee instead of giving a lecture. We talk honestly about relationships, mental health, purpose, and everyday life in a way that’s accessible whether someone has ever been in therapy or not.
Outside the office, you’ll usually find me enjoying a cup of black coffee, roasting coffee beans, smoking a good cigar, cooking on my Traeger or Blackstone, hiking when my knees cooperate, or spending time with my wife, children, and grandchildren. Those simple moments remind me that life isn’t measured only by accomplishments but by relationships and being present.
Looking back, I realize my career has become less about having the right answers and more about helping people ask the right questions. That’s what continues to motivate me every day.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. One of the biggest turning points in my life was losing a career at SBC after 22 years. At the time, it felt like the rug had been pulled out from under me. I had a family to support and needed to figure out what came next.
While earning my graduate degree in counseling, I worked three jobs to make ends meet. There were days I questioned whether I was doing the right thing, but I kept reminding myself that meaningful things are rarely easy. Looking back, that season taught me perseverance, humility, and faith that difficult chapters often become the foundation for something better.
Building a private practice brought a different set of challenges. Like many small business owners, I’ve had to learn far more than counseling—marketing, insurance reimbursement, technology, and the realities of running a business. There have been plenty of setbacks, but each one has reinforced that success is usually less about avoiding obstacles and more about continuing to move forward despite them.
Those experiences have made me a better therapist. When clients tell me they feel stuck or that life hasn’t gone the way they planned, I understand that on a personal level. I know what it’s like to start over, and I also know that some of life’s greatest opportunities are hidden inside the seasons we’d never choose for ourselves.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about John A Leber Jr LPC?
At the heart of my practice is a simple belief: people are more than their symptoms or diagnosis. Anxiety, depression, trauma, or relationship struggles are real, but they don’t define who someone is. My goal is to help people not only feel better but also discover greater meaning, purpose, and freedom in their lives.
I work with individuals and couples, with a particular interest in relationships, personal growth, men’s issues, life transitions, and helping people move through difficult seasons without losing themselves. As a Licensed Professional Counselor and Certified Health Coach, I also appreciate the connection between emotional and physical health. I believe lasting change often happens when we care for the whole person.
What probably sets me apart is that I don’t see therapy as simply teaching coping skills. Those skills have value, but I believe real transformation comes when people begin asking deeper questions about who they are, what gives their life meaning, and what kind of person they want to become. My role isn’t to give people all the answers—it’s to help them discover answers that are genuinely their own.
Outside of counseling, I co-host the After the Session podcast with fellow therapist Dwain Sliger. The podcast gives us an opportunity to have honest conversations about relationships, mental health, faith, purpose, and everyday life in a way that’s practical and approachable.
If there’s one thing I’d want readers to know, it’s this: therapy isn’t about fixing broken people. It’s about helping people become more fully themselves. Watching someone rediscover hope, reconnect with the people they love, or find meaning after a difficult chapter is what continues to make this work so rewarding.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
Mentors have been incredibly important in my life, but I’ve also learned that everyone has a story worth listening to. Some of my greatest lessons didn’t come from a classroom or a textbook—they came from listening to someone talk about what worked, what failed, what they regretted, and what they wished they had done differently.
That’s why I encourage people to be curious and not be afraid to talk with strangers. Ask questions. Listen more than you speak. Most people enjoy sharing what they’ve learned if someone is genuinely interested. Those conversations can change the direction of your life.
I’ve found that wisdom isn’t limited to people with impressive titles. I’ve learned from seasoned professionals, business owners, clients, and people I met over a cup of coffee or at a cigar lounge. Every person has a story, and every story has something to teach us if we’re willing to listen.
I also believe we have a responsibility to pass those stories on. Experience becomes wisdom when it’s shared. The lessons we learn through success, failure, and hardship can become a gift to someone who’s just beginning their own journey.
Pricing:
- Accept many major insurance plans
- Self pay options
- In office and Telehealth available
Contact Info:
