Professional Counseling

Leah Riley Counseling LLC

Welcome, I am glad you're here.

When you are carrying a lot, more than most people can see, it's hard to know how to move forward. Maybe it's the constant mental load, pressures of everyday life, past wounds or new ones - everyone deserves a place to be seen and met with gentleness. When you need to take a breath and exhale. Whether you're a stay at home mom, working mom, postpartum mom, soon-to-be mom, in college, in ministry or somewhere in between, sometimes life can feel like a lot.

I love helping women that may be navigating those tougher layers - things like anxiety, self-worth struggles, deep sadness, anger, or just overwhelm. Together, we can make sense of what may be underneath the surface.

I would be honored to help you make sense of your story and help you feel more like yourself. You don't have to navigate it all on your own.

What would counseling look like?

My approach to counseling has many different influences: DBT, CBT, EMDR, LI and art therapy. I love getting to know each client and adjust their treatment plan as needed based on initial goals set. I help clients meet their current goals in an empathetic and growth-oriented environment.

Using body-based methods like EMDR & Lifespan Integration, I am able to care for a client's "system" or whole self. This is also a vehicle to heal past wounds.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy skills are used for interpersonal effectiveness, tolerating distress, regulating emotions and being mindful.

Using CBT, I am able to assist clients in changing their thoughts to more adaptive thoughts.

I tailor each of this skills/methods to each specific client. Over time, after these skills have been encouraged and practiced, client start to feel more like themselves.

FAQ

How do I get started?

Call or email me to set up a time for a 15 minute free phone consultation.

How much does it cost?

I take Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance.
The flat rate for a 50 minute session is $160.

I offer something called the superbill for clients that do not have Blue Cross insurance.

A superbill is a detailed receipt that you may submit to your insurance company for possible reimbursement, depending on your plan’s out-of-network benefits.

Reimbursement is not guaranteed and varies by insurance provider and individual policy. I encourage you to contact your insurance company to ask about out-of-network mental health benefits prior to beginning services.

How long does therapy last? How often do I go?

How long sessions last depends on the clients needs and goals. Some clients get relief after a few sessions, others may need or desire sessions to last a few months or more. It's up to the counselor and client to decide how long therapy needs to be. Results and momentum are better when counseling is consistent either weekly or biweekly.

Do you offer the "Good Faith Estimate?"

Yes.

Under the No Surprises Act, you have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate of the expected cost of counseling services if you are not using insurance or are choosing not to submit claims to insurance.

A Good Faith Estimate outlines the anticipated costs of services based on the information available at the time. This estimate is not a contract and does not require you to receive services.

You may request a Good Faith Estimate at any time, including prior to scheduling your first appointment

Check out https://www.cms.gov/nosurprises for more information.

How does confidentiality work?

Everything within a session is confidential. There are a few exceptions: if a client or someone the client knows is at harm, there is child/elder abuse or neglect or unless there is a court order or subpoena. If any of those happen, I will inform you and let you know.

Do you provide in person or virtual therapy?

I offer both in person and virtual therapy.

A little about my background

I have been counseling since 2016. I have had experience with depression, anxiety, PTSD, eating disorders, postpartum depression/anxiety, OCD and parent/child issues, little “t” trauma and big “T” trauma. I have a bachelors in Psychology from the University of Alabama, and a masters in Education of Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Montevallo. I have a certification in EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing). I am trained in Lifespan Integration (level 1-2). I am an approved trainer to conduct the 10 week Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) training.

Recent testimony

“I was having a difficult time managing my anxiety, depression, and the mourning of a family member when I sought out help. I was very nervous to start therapy, but Leah quickly made me feel at ease. Together we created a plan and came up with goals to accomplish with therapy. I started seeing a change in myself a couple weeks in. I was using all the tools and exercises we did during our sessions and applying them to the everyday problems I faced. The biggest change I saw was when we tried an exercise called the Lifespan Integration. It made a past traumatic experience shift into a minor event in my life. I felt a weight lifted off my shoulders that I hadn’t felt in years. Through therapy I was able to get back to my old self, gain control of my emotions, and live a more peaceful life.”

- 32yr old female