Is traditional therapy not working for you? Do you find yourself say...
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When my therapy appointment is over, I feel like I'm just getting started… when your time is up leaving you feeling like you are not making enough progress to move past your struggles.
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I can identify the trauma that I have experienced and can even see areas where it currently affects my life, but I cannot seem to move past it. You intellectually understand it but your emotional responses, mood swings, or anxiety intrude into your daily life.
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I know that I am being triggered, but I can’t always explain why—or know how to stop it once it starts.
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When I'm in therapy it feels like I'm treading water. I leave feeling drained or raw, and it takes a day or two just to feel okay again. OR I feel like you have plateaued in my progress.
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It's not you, it's the model
Let’s imagine for a moment that you’re trying to explore the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History—all 325,000 square feet of it.
But you can only go once a week, during your lunch break.
Each time you show up, you have to remember where you left off, figure out where to go next, and try to take it all in.
Just when you start to really get into it, it’s time to head back to work.
That’s what weekly therapy can feel like.
Out of a 50 to 60-minute session — only a fraction of that is spent doing deep work because you’re…
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Catching up on the week
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Reopening what you didn’t get to finish last time
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Trying to “land the plane” before you leave so you’re not emotionally raw heading back into your day
That means maybe 30 minutes, if that, of real processing.
No wonder it can feel like you’re talking in circles or not making real progress.
Anytime we add to the appointment length is adding processing time; we don’t lose time starting and stopping.
We go deep—and stay there.
That’s how real breakthroughs happen.
No mater the length of an appointment, the time spent preparing to for therapeutic work and preparing to reenter daily life is the same.
However, the longer the appointment, the more time is available for the deep work of processing trauma, anxiety, or overwhelm.
The kind of therapy that helps you stop powering through—and finally feel peace.
Hi, I’m Leah.
I’m a licensed professional counselor, trauma-informed coach, and the person people come to when they’ve done everything right—but still feel like something’s not quite right.
If you’ve ever thought:
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“Why am I still so triggered by this?"
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“I’ve done the work—so why doesn’t it feel better yet?”
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“I just want to stop replaying this in my head…”
You’re not alone.
Most of my clients show up feeling weighed down—like they’ve been carrying a heavy backpack filled with emotional “rocks” from the past. They’ve tried talk therapy, self-help, even medication. But the same patterns still come back. The same thoughts. The same reactions.
That’s where this work is different.
Instead of just adjusting the straps, we unpack that backpack—together.
We go to the root. We get curious. We stop powering through and start actually healing.
You bring your strengths, your story, and your goals. I bring years of experience, practical tools, and a space that’s fully focused on you.
Intensive therapy isn’t about just feeling better for a moment.
It’s about giving you lasting peace—and a plan for what comes next.
I can’t wait to support you.
Warmly,
Leah
Leah is a great listener and objective thinker. She helped me to directly address all the issues I was facing when I started working with her. We unearthed and worked through most of the things I have struggled with in my past. Now, I know myself better and understand my own personality.
Benjamin
Here are the ways I can help you
EMDR Intensive Therapy
When you sign up for EMDR Intensive Therapy, you’ll get:
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A Two-Hour Introductory Session
We'll get to know each other and get clear on your triggers, goals, and patterns and develop a strategic plan—so every minute of our time together is purposeful and focused.
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Two-Hour Therapy Appointments
Weekly or bi-weekly powerful sessions using a personalized blend of EMDR, talk therapy, and experiential tools to help you process, heal, and move forward.
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A Safe, Private Space—Fully Focused on You
No “shoulds,” no judgment—just room to finally process what’s been holding you back.
The ROOT Intensive
When you sign up for the Root Intensive Personal Retreat, you’ll get:
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A Customized Treatment Workbook Which allows you work on your treatment goals before, during, and after the retreat.
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A Two-Hour Introductory Session
We'll get to know each other and get clear on your biggest triggers, patterns, and goals.
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A Pre-Intensive Plan
I will provide you a strategic plan to ensure that we are meeting your goals—so every minute of our time together is purposeful and focused.
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12 Hours of Deep-Dive Therapy
Three powerful sessions using a personalized blend of EMDR, talk therapy, and experiential tools to help you process, heal, and move forward.
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Refreshment for Body and Soul
Each four-hour session includes snacks, so that you are able to maintain focus and replenish nutrients needed for focused mental/emotional work.
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Post-Retreat Integration Plan and Check-in Session
You’ll leave with reflection exercises and a simple, personalized roadmap to support your healing long after the retreat ends.
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A Safe, Private Space—Fully Focused on You
No “shoulds,” no judgment—just room to finally process what’s been holding you back.
Your first step is always an initial consultation
This is your space to pause, reflect, and talk through what your experiencing—whether it’s stress, anxiety, emotional patterns that feel hard to shake, or simply the sense that something isn’t working anymore.
During this session, you’ll have the space to share what’s been weighing on you, what you’re hoping to shift, and share with me what how you would like your life like. From there, we’ll make a plan that supports your healing and aligns with your personal goals.
Here are some of the most common questions I get asked.
What if I already have a therapist/counselor? Can I still use intensive therapy? Absolutely! Using an intensive as an additional tool in your healing. Similarly to seeing a specialist while keeping your primary care provider. This combination allows you to have additional support and stability to further process your experience and to integrate your learning. Additionally, I am happy to connect with your primary therapist with your written permission to provide additional support and information.
What is EMDR? How is it used in this model? EMDR (Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a specialized treatment for treating numerous mental health challenges. It is especially helpful for processing trauma and loss in a manner that empowers clients by eliminating limiting beliefs and negative internal responses. EMDR is not just for trauma; it is also used for performance enhancement to excel in areas such as athletics, business, and relationships. In your retreat, we’ll use EMDR as one of the tools to safely revisit experiences and rewire the thoughts and emotional responses connected to them—so you can move forward feeling calm, safe, and in control.
What is trauma? Could it be affecting me? Trauma is an emotional response to a distressing or overwhelming situation. Sometimes, we can heal from it on our own. Other times, we need help, like how our bodies heal from a physical injury. A scratch will heal on its own if it is kept clean, but a compound fracture needs professional help. There is also a need for professional help if that same scratch becomes infected. Trauma isn’t always about a single event—it’s about how your body and mind respond to overwhelming experiences. Even if you’ve coped well on the outside, trauma can show up as anxiety, emotional numbness, people-pleasing, anger, or feeling stuck. This work helps you move from reliving to simply remembering so your past doesn’t keep running the show.
Are intensive appointment in-person only? Because of licensing, all intensive therapy appointments must take place in Virginia. Virtual appointments are available for two-hour appointments though four-hour appointments require in-person appointments.
I’m a person of faith—can my beliefs be included in our work? Yes. Many of my clients find that integrating their faith into therapy creates deeper peace and faster healing. I have years of experience incorporating Christian faith into the therapy process, and I’ll always honor your beliefs and preferences.
How much do intensive appointments cost? And, what payment methods to you accept? Two-hour appointments are $350. Four-hour appointments are $997. I accept payment through cards (including HSA cards), check, Zelle, Venmo, and Stripe and also participate with Care Credit to allow you to make interest-free or low-interest payments.
Do you accept insurance? Can I use it to help cover the retreat? Yes—while I’m considered an out-of-network provider, many clients use their insurance to get partial reimbursement. You’ll pay upfront, and I’ll provide a Superbill to submit to your insurance company. I recommend checking your out-of-network benefits ahead of time to understand your coverage and reimbursement rates.
Do you offer sliding scale options? Yes—a limited number of sliding-scale spots are available each year for clients with specific treatment goals who may not be able to afford the full fee. Because of the depth and personalized nature of this work, each intensive requires an application and planning process. This ensures the retreat is a good fit and that you're fully supported from start to finish. If you're interested in a sliding-scale rate, please note that on your application. I’ll review it with care, and we can discuss options based on availability.