Leah Chambers

Qualifications & Experience

I have a Master of Arts degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Colorado Christian University and a Bachelor of Arts in English from Portland State University. In addition, I am a Certified Grief Informed Professional (CGP) and a former Emergency Medical Technician.

My Call to Christian Counseling

The impact and significance of my own healing journey led me to pursue a career in Christian counseling combined with my deep desire to support the healing of others.

More About Me/On a Personal Note

In my free time I like to hike, read, paint, and garden.

Areas of Expertise/Specialties

• Anxiety
• Brainspotting
• Depression
• Grief and Loss
• Group Counseling
• Individual Counseling
• Online Counseling
• Personal Development
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
• Relationship Issues
• Trauma
• Women’s Issues

Depression

I will provide a structured space for you to explore your thoughts and emotions. We will work together to establish treatment goals and to explore patterns and dynamics that perpetuate your experience of depression. We may utilize assessments to track the severity of your symptoms and to determine progress towards your goals. I will validate the space you are currently in, and work with you to develop insights, to challenge what no longer benefits you, and to adopt practical, adaptive coping skills so that you no longer feel “stuck.” I will offer a variety of interventions in session and coach you on skills for you to practice between sessions. I will hold hope for you until you can hope for yourself.

Trauma

I will work to provide an empathetic, patient, and collaborative space for you to experience safety and practice vulnerability. Together we will explore the roots of your trauma and shame. We will engage in a brain and body-based approach to treatment, with techniques from Brainspotting and HeartMath to promote relief and resilience on a nervous-system level. You will learn tools for emotional regulation to increase coping skills and improve levels of functioning. We will work together to help you develop a sense of control over the trauma and reclaim a sense of safety and trust.

Anxiety

I will provide a safe space for you to explore thoughts and feelings associated with your anxiety. I will offer education on the physiology of anxiety, and we will work together to build adaptive skills for managing anxiety and to improve functioning. We may learn and practice skills such as muscle relaxation, breathing techniques, and develop and adopt self-care routines for proactive management of your symptoms. We may also utilize assessments to track severity of your anxiety and to determine progress towards your goals.

Relationship Issues

I will provide a compassionate and structured space for you to explore your thoughts, feelings, and patterns that arise in relationships. We will explore your attachments to significant people in your life. We will also explore how patterns of thinking, feeling and behaviors emerge in real-time. I will coach – and we will practice – adaptive relationship skills, which may include improved communication, boundaries, attunement, and emotion regulation. We will set goals for shifting what’s in our control, and acceptance for what is outside of our control.

Grief and Loss

I am a Certified Grief-Informed Provider and use evidence-based approaches to support you in the process of grieving. Losses show up in many forms, ambiguous or clear. We may work together around grieving a loved one, a relationship, a job, life transitions, illness, unmet expectations, and more. The process of grieving involves exploring the significance of the loss or transition, as well as the adjustments to life in the present. At times, you will be invited into emotional vulnerability and processing with cognitive approaches. Other times we may use experiential techniques to support you in grieving. Grief is non-linear and unique to each person; I’m here to support you in navigating your unique loss.

Sessions: I offer 53-minute sessions. Sessions can be held more than once per week, weekly, or every other week. Scheduling options are discussed in greater detail during your Risk-Free Initial Session.

Availability (by office location):

• Vancouver –  Monday, Tuesday and Friday
• Remote/Telehealth – Wednesday and Thursday

Fees: I offer a Risk-Free Initial Session for individuals and groups looking to pursue counseling with me. Please note that there is a fee for the Risk-Free Initial Session as it is a clinical hour and reimbursable to most insurance companies, but if you choose not to reschedule and continue therapy after the initial session the entire fee for the session will be waived. For ongoing treatment the full fee per session is required at the time of service.

Insurance: As a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), some insurance companies will reimburse for a portion of my services (as an Out of Network Provider). Please consult with your insurance provider as to whether they specifically cover adolescents and adult individuals.

Receipts/Statements: In the event you require a printed or digital receipt, I will provide receipts for personal use, insurance reimbursement, Flex Spending Accounts (FSA), and Health Savings Accounts (HSA).

Payment options: Cash, Check, or Credit Card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, & American Express). A fee of up to 4% per transaction will be added for credit card payments.