About Dr. Chaitra Wirta-Leiker

(SHAY-tra WUR-ta LY-ker; she/her)

Dr. Chaitra Wirta-Leiker
Dr. Chaitra Wirta-Leiker

View the states where I'm licensed for counseling on my Contact page.

Since taking my first psychology class in high school, I knew that this was the field in which I was meant to work. When the Columbine High School tragedy occurred so close to home, I became dedicated to working with youth and families who had experienced trauma, and this connected strongly with my other areas of passion: adoption and bullying. I was adopted from India as an infant, and understand firsthand what is like to struggle with issues of race, identity, societal expectations, and family relationships – and after adopting my own child, my awareness of the multi-faceted and complex world of adoption grew.

I have worked in the mental health field since 2002, and I am currently a licensed psychologist in Colorado, with the ability to practice in multiple other states through PSYPACT approval. I believe that every individual who visits my office has a unique story to share, and deserves to have their story heard in a safe, compassionate, and supportive space. I strongly believe in the importance of valuing each client’s lived experiences, especially those who identify with marginalized identities and are seeking professional support from a provider with a passion for social justice. I carefully and thoughtfully chose the name of my practice, “Beyond Words,” because I believe that our therapeutic relationship is built on a foundation of trust and collaboration that goes beyond language to a place of genuine understanding.

I am the author of the “Adoptees Like Me” illustrated children’s book series for elementary readers, which includes with Marie Discovers Her Superpowers  (2022) and Casey Conquers Bedtime (2023). I am a consultant for The Adoptee Mentoring Society and a contributor to I AM ADOPTEE, where I serve on their subsidized mental health program review board. I have also served on the Adoptee Advisory Board for Heritage Camps for Adoptive Families and the steering committee for the Society of Adoption Professionals of Color in Adoption.

Land Acknowledgment

My office is located on land that was once inhabited by the Tséstho’e (Cheyenne), Očhéthi Šakówiŋ, and Núu-agha-tʉvʉ-pʉ̱ (Ute) Native American tribes, and as an individual who now profits off of the colonization of their lands, I choose to donate a portion of my monthly earnings to First Nations Development Institute as an acknowledgement of the reparations owed.