Jennifer McLeod
Jennifer McLeod is a counselor, adoptive parent, resource parent, and parent support specialist dedicated to helping children, parents, and families navigate the unique joys and challenges of adoption, trauma, and family relationships. Drawing on professional training and personal experience, she offers a compassionate, trauma-informed approach that honors each individual's story and strengthens family connections. Jennifer is trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), and integrates evidence-based interventions to support healing, resilience, and emotional well-being. She has also completed advanced training in neuroscience-informed parenting through a year-long immersion program with Robyn Gobbel, deepening her understanding of the impact of trauma, attachment, and nervous system regulation on child development and family relationships. Jennifer helps parents understand the "why" behind their children's big emotions and challenging behaviors, offering practical tools that foster connection, regulation, and growth. She is passionate about creating a safe, supportive space where clients can explore their experiences, develop new insights and skills, and move toward lasting healing and hope.
I strive to create a safe, supportive, and nonjudgmental space where clients feel heard, understood, and valued.
First session
Clients can expect their first session to be a welcoming, safe, and judgment-free space where they feel heard, understood, and valued. My priority is to get to know them, learn about their experiences, understand their concerns, and explore what has brought them to therapy. We will talk about their hopes and goals for counseling, while leaving plenty of space for questions and helping them get comfortable with the process. I believe therapy is about building a relationship first, so there is no pressure to share everything at once or have all the answers. I will meet clients where they are, honor their unique stories, and work at a pace that feels comfortable for them. Clients will leave with a better understanding of what working together might look like, a sense of hope, and the reassurance that they don't have to navigate life's challenges alone.
Strengths
I bring a unique combination of professional training, personal experience, compassion, and a deep understanding of trauma and attachment to my sessions. As a counselor, adoptive parent, resource parent, and parent support specialist, I understand both the personal and professional challenges families may face. I strive to create a safe, supportive, and nonjudgmental space where clients feel heard, understood, and valued. My training in EMDR, TF-CBT, and neuroscience-informed parenting allows me to integrate evidence-based, trauma-informed approaches while considering the impact of trauma, attachment, and nervous system regulation. One of my greatest strengths is helping parents understand the "why" behind their children's behaviors and emotions while offering practical tools to build connection, strengthen relationships, and support healing. I bring empathy, curiosity, authenticity, and a belief in each person's capacity for growth, resilience, and lasting change
Ideal clients
My ideal clients are children, parents, and families navigating the complexities of trauma, adoption, attachment, and family relationships. I enjoy working with parents who are seeking to better understand their children's emotions and behaviors, especially when traditional parenting approaches don't seem to be working. I also welcome individuals and families who may be feeling overwhelmed, disconnected, or unsure of how to move forward after difficult experiences. My ideal clients are open to exploring the "why" behind their struggles, building new skills, and developing a deeper understanding of themselves and one another. They don't need to have all the answers or know where to begin. They simply need a willingness to show up, be curious, and take steps toward growth. My goal is to meet each client where they are, honor their unique story, and help them build connection, resilience, and hope
Ongoing work together
Our ongoing work together will be collaborative, individualized, and guided by each client's unique needs and goals. We will work at a comfortable pace, building on strengths while exploring experiences, patterns, and challenges that may be getting in the way of growth and connection. I integrate trauma-informed, evidence-based approaches, including EMDR and TF-CBT, along with neuroscience-informed strategies to support emotional regulation, healing, and resilience. For parents and families, our work may include understanding the impact of trauma and attachment, making sense of challenging behaviors, and developing practical tools to strengthen connection and navigate big emotions. For individuals, it may involve processing difficult experiences, building new coping skills, and deepening self-understanding. Progress doesn't always mean fewer struggles or having everything figured out. It may look like feeling more confident as a parent, responding differently during difficult moments, experiencing greater emotional regulation, building stronger relationships, or feeling more hopeful and connected. We will regularly check in on goals, celebrate small victories, and adjust our approach as needed. My hope is that clients leave our work together feeling more empowered, understood, and equipped with tools to continue growing long after therapy ends.
Treatment methods
Attachment-based
I incorporate attachment-based theory into my practice by recognizing that relationships and early experiences play an important role in shaping how we understand ourselves, regulate our emotions, and connect with others. I believe that behavior is communication, and often what we see on the outside is connected to an unmet need, a past experience, or a desire for safety and connection. My approach focuses on helping clients understand how attachment experiences may influence their relationships, emotional responses, and behaviors. When working with parents and families, I help parents look beyond challenging behaviors to understand what their child may be communicating and what they need to feel safe, connected, and supported. I provide practical, relationship-focused strategies that help strengthen connection, build trust, and support healthy emotional development. I also recognize the importance of creating a safe, consistent, and trusting therapeutic relationship. I strive to offer clients the experience of being seen, heard, and accepted without judgment. Through curiosity, compassion, and a trauma-informed lens, I help individuals and families build stronger connections, develop healthier relationship patterns, and create a foundation for lasting healing and growth.
EMDR
Jennifer is trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and integrates evidence-based interventions to support healing, resilience, and emotional well-being. She has also completed advanced training in neuroscience-informed parenting through a year-long immersion program with Robyn Gobbel, deepening her understanding of the impact of trauma, attachment, and nervous system regulation on child development and family relationships.
Strength-Based
I incorporate a strengths-based approach into my practice by recognizing that every individual and family has existing strengths, abilities, and resources that can support healing and growth. I believe clients are more than their struggles, past experiences, or current challenges. Even during difficult seasons, strengths remain to build on, and my role is to help clients recognize and nurture them. I strive to create a supportive, nonjudgmental environment where clients feel empowered, not defined by their challenges. I help individuals and parents identify what is already working, recognize their resilience, and build confidence in their ability to navigate difficult situations. When working with families, I encourage parents to shift their focus from what is going wrong to recognizing their child's strengths, needs, and potential. I believe growth happens when people feel understood, supported, and capable. By combining a strength-based perspective with trauma-informed care, I help clients build on their existing abilities, develop new skills, strengthen relationships, and recognize that meaningful change is possible.
Trauma-Focused CBT
I incorporate Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) into my practice to help children and families process traumatic experiences, develop healthy coping skills, and reduce the emotional and behavioral effects of trauma. I recognize that trauma can impact how children see themselves, understand the world, regulate their emotions, and build relationships. Using TF-CBT, I help children develop skills to identify and express emotions, manage difficult thoughts and feelings, and build a greater sense of safety and control. We work together to understand the connection between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, and develop practical tools for coping with stress and overwhelming emotions. When appropriate, I also involve parents or caregivers to help them better understand their child's experiences and learn ways to provide support, connection, and consistency. I tailor the approach to each child's developmental level, individual needs, and readiness, creating a safe and supportive environment throughout the process. My goal is to help children and families move beyond the impact of traumatic experiences, strengthen relationships, build resilience, and develop the skills needed for lasting healing and growth.
Trauma-Informed Care
I use a trauma-informed approach by recognizing that each person's experiences shape how they view the world, respond to stress, build relationships, and navigate everyday challenges. I believe it is important to look beyond behaviors and symptoms to understand what may be underneath them. Rather than asking, "What's wrong?" I approach clients with curiosity and compassion, asking, "What has happened, and what might this person need to feel safe and supported?" I prioritize creating a safe, trusting, and nonjudgmental environment where clients feel respected, heard, and empowered. I recognize the importance of choice, collaboration, and moving at a pace that feels comfortable for each individual. I also help parents understand how trauma, attachment, and nervous system regulation can influence their children's emotions and behaviors, offering practical strategies to support connection and regulation. My training in EMDR, TF-CBT, and neuroscience-informed parenting informs my work and allows me to integrate evidence-based interventions tailored to each client's needs. Ultimately, my goal is to help individuals and families move beyond simply managing difficult experiences toward healing, building resilience, strengthening relationships, and developing a greater sense of safety and connection.
Location
Virtual sessions
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Licensed in
- VirginiaLicense 0904018073