Brittany Leffler,

Hello, I’m Brittany Leffler (she/her), a Licensed Social Worker (LSW).

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.

My Background

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, and is actively pursuing AASECT sex therapy & EMDRIA certifications.

My Therapy Style

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.

Hope And Healing In The Aftermath Of Sexual Violence

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.

About Me

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 #SW139512

Brittany Leffler’s Availability

Brittany offers in-person sessions at our Lancaster, PA, therapy office and online therapy sessions to anyone in Pennsylvania.