Hello, I’m Brittany Leffler (she/her), a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW).
I am passionate about helping my clients find joy, connection, healing, and meaning through the therapeutic process. I aim to help my clients move away from blame and shame to examine the root causes of pain and trauma, gain insight into unhelpful patterns, and find alternative, adaptive responses to their problems that create true safety and wholeness. I recognize that power imbalances & privilege can be barriers to individual, relational, and community wellness, so I take an anti-oppression approach in my work.
I worked in the theatre industry for over a decade before becoming a therapist. The American political climate and the birth of my daughter propelled me out of show business and into the mental health field, where I felt called to use my creativity to connect with people directly and work toward social justice by focusing on human dignity, worth, and relationships.
I entered the mental health field as a crisis counselor & support group facilitator for victim-survivors of sexual violence, a forensic exam accompanying advocate, & violence prevention educator. While in the Master of Social Work program at Millersville University, I studied trauma-informed healthcare. I co-authored four published research articles with an all-female team of scholars who investigated the impacts of poverty, loneliness & social isolation, as well as the influences of letter-writing, community, & relationship-building on mental health.
These experiences inform my current practice as a Therapist who is fully trained in EMDR, certified in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), CBT, ACT, and is actively pursuing AASECT sex therapy & EMDRIA certifications.
Although I provide treatment as a therapist, I’m a human first – meeting you with warmth, curiosity & compassion in a judgment-free zone. My colleagues describe me as an insightful, collaborative & encouraging therapist with a dash of humor. Building trust with you is my priority because it empowers you to peel back the layers, explore your roles in the systems you are a part of, and process and discuss sensitive topics at your own pace.
I weave expressive arts, psychodrama, Emotionally-Focused therapy, Mindfulness, and Gottman Couples interventions into my client sessions. I am competent in working with people with trauma histories, attachment issues, sexual, body, and gender issues, and co-occurring symptoms presenting as depression & anxiety. I identify as a sex-positive and body-positive therapist and treat clients of all genders, sexualities, and relationship arrangements.
Read my April 2024 BLOG about how to find or help someone else find hope and healing in the aftermath of sexual assault. My article includes links, articles, websites, and books about the subject of sexual violence.
I love city life and the creativity in downtown Lancaster’s art galleries, theaters, markets, architecture, parks, and restaurants. My personal self-care is spending quality time in my kitchen with friends, family & my rescue dog Penny, where I’m usually cooking an Ina Garten recipe with 90’s alternative or indie-alternative music playing in the background.
PA License #CW025058
Brittany offers in-person sessions at our Lancaster Downtown therapy office and online therapy sessions to young adults and adults in Pennsylvania.
Whether you are suffering from panic attacks, obsessive – compulsive disorder, or generalized anxiety we have therapists who use evidenced-based treatments, such as cognitive-bahavioral therapy, to help you.
Many individuals feel like they are at war with their bodies. Whether it’s feeling shame, guilt, or giving ourselves critical comments about our bodies, we can be our own worst enemy. Our therapists can help you feel at peace with your body and learn to be kind to yourself.
Caregiving for a loved one can be challenging even in the best of circumstances. Often we don’t think about how the caregiver needs support, too. If you are experiencing burnout, our therapists can teach you skills to help you cope.
Depression and anxiety are extremely common, but often under-diagnosed by medical providers during pregnancy and postpartum. Our providers have specialized training to help women with anxiety and depression in this specific period in their lives.
Depression, one of the most common mental health disorders, is very treatable. Our therapists are specially trained to help individuals with depression get back to feeling like themselves again.
Move Forward Counseling is an inclusive practice where we want the LGBTQIA+ community to feel welcome and supported. Whether you are unsure how to embrace your identity, are having relationship issues, or need extra support from a non-judgmental person, we have therapists who can help.
Life transitions encompass many things, including starting or ending a romantic relationship, changes with work or school or making any big life change, such as a move. Often we underestimate how these changes will affect us emotionally until we find ourselves struggling with the ups and downs of the life transition.
While we don’t provide couples counseling at Move Forward, many individuals seek counseling to discuss how they can have healthier relationships. Our therapists can help you learn new ways of communicating, setting boundaries, and other ways to have more positive relationships with others.
Trauma symptoms and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can be debilitating for many who experience it. Recovery from trauma is possible and we have therapists who can help.
Moving into adulthood brings its own set of challenges. You may feel pressure to have a “career” or find your life partner. You may be unsure of making these big life decisions and may feel lost because you no longer have school or other adults in your life telling you what you should choose.
Reach out today to get started. Our supportive staff will help guide you through the scheduling process, discuss special requests and consult your insurance needs.
Therapy is available online across Pennsylvania, with in-person therapy options at the Lancaster, Lancaster Downtown, Lebanon, Pittsburgh, Hershey, Lehigh Valley and York locations.
825 Eden Road, Lancaster, PA 17601
226 N Arch Street 2nd Floor, Lancaster, PA 17603
445 Mountville Drive, Lebanon, PA 17046
100 Keystone Ave, Suite 1, Emmaus, PA 18049
935 E. Chocolate Ave., Hershey, PA 17033
201 S. Craig St, Suite 1M, Pittsburgh, PA 15213
1410 E Market Street, York, PA 17403
Across Pennsylvania
Monday 7:30 a.m. till 5:30 p.m.
Tues-Friday 8 a.m. till 5:30 p.m.