Counseling for Veterans & Military Families
🇺🇸 Serving Those Who Served
Specialized Counseling for Veterans, Active-Duty Members & Military Families
Life Balance Counseling | Peoria, Illinois
At Life Balance Counseling Peoria, we honor the sacrifices made by those who serve — and the families who serve alongside them.
Our team includes a USN veteran therapist and two military spouse therapists, offering professional care grounded in personal understanding of military culture and the challenges that come with it.
Understanding the Challenges Veterans Face
Our therapists are trained to help veterans and their families navigate issues such as:
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and trauma recovery
Military Sexual Trauma (MST) and related emotional or relational impacts
Depression and Anxiety stemming from deployment or reintegration stress
Moral Injury and Survivor’s Guilt
Substance Use and Addiction
Chronic Stress, Sleep Disturbances, and Anger Management
Adjustment to Civilian Life — redefining identity, career, and purpose
Relationship and Family Strain caused by deployments or service-related stress
Parenting and Family Dynamics after extended separations or military relocations
How We Help
Our clinicians use evidence-based, compassionate methods designed to foster healing and balance:
Individual Therapy for veterans, active-duty members, and reservists
Trauma-Informed Treatment (EMDR, CBT, Mindfulness, and Somatic Approaches)
Support for MST Survivors with sensitivity and confidentiality
Couples & Family Counseling for military spouses and children
Depression, Anxiety, and Addiction Treatment
Grief & Loss Support for those affected by service-related experiences
Transition and Reintegration Coaching for post-service adjustment
Community Resource Referrals for additional veteran support programs
Why Veterans and Families Choose Life Balance Counseling
Veteran and Military Spouse Therapists who understand the realities of military life
Culturally Competent, Confidential Care rooted in respect and understanding
Flexible Scheduling to accommodate work and family life
Telehealth and In-Person Appointments available for your convenience
You Served Your Country — Let Us Serve You.
Find healing, strength, and balance for yourself and your family.
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"Les" Perera, AMFT, CSAT-Candidate, EMDR, ERCEM
As a retired U.S Navy Veteran, Les understands intimately the struggles of Veterans and those who have served in the military. He specializes in treating trauma and addictions.
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Ashley Heeren, MA
Ashley is deeply committed to serving the military and veteran community, a passion that stems from her own life experiences. “As a proud spouse of a 13.5-year Army combat veteran, I have firsthand experience with the unique challenges of military life, from frequent moves and deployments to the complexities of transition back to civilian life. I served on the family readiness group board providing a sense of family connection on/during/after deployments. I understand the importance of cultural competence specific to the military in therapy, the challenges that come with families with children involved and strive to create a safe, understanding space where service members, veterans, and their families can navigate these specific stressors and find healing."
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Tom Keenan, LCSW
Prior to pursuing a career in mental health, I served as a police officer for a number of years. During my law enforcement tenure, I gained firsthand experience with the demanding realities of duty, critical incidents, and the unique camaraderie and stressors inherent in public safety work. This experience exposed me to the silent struggles many first responders and military professionals face regarding their mental health, fueling my passion to provide relevant, specialized support.
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Shelby Valladares, Marriage & Family Therapy Intern
I am deeply committed to serving the military and veteran community, a passion that stems from my own life experiences. As a proud spouse of a 20-year Army veteran, I have firsthand experience with the unique challenges of military life, from frequent moves and deployments to the complexities of transition back to civilian life. I understand the importance of cultural competence in therapy and strive to create a safe, understanding space where service members, veterans, and their families can navigate these specific stressors and find healing.
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Kathleen "Kat" Griffith, LCSW
I specialize in treating trauma and related issues using proven methods such as Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and other trauma-informed care modalities. I adapt my approach to your unique needs, creating a safe, non-judgmental space where we can address your specific goals, whether that's improving sleep quality, managing emotional reactions, or reconnecting with loved ones.
