Grief counselors and therapists in Leesburg, VA

My name is Sara Dillon and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a certification in Perinatal Mental Health. I am licensed in Virginia and I am currently accepting new clients via telehealth. I have worked with kids and families for over a decade both in the school and in the private practice settings.

As a mom of three (specifically as a twin mom), I know how difficult and challenging life can be. This is why I strive to be meet clients wherever they are in their journey. Often times, we don't need or even want someone to tell us all the things to do, but instead want the support of someone walking with us through life's challenges.

I am a proud double duke of James Madison University. I received my BA in Psychology with a Minor in Family Studies. Then stayed to receive my M.A. and Ed.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. From there my counseling journey led me to complete my internship in a private practice clinic in Knoxville, TN as my husband finished his own education. Next, I worked with Youth Villages as an Intensive In Home Counselor. And most recently, worked as a Mental Health Outpatient Counselor with New River Valley Community Services (NRVCS) where I completed my VA residency and became an LPC.

In all of the clinical settings I have practiced, I have worked with a wide range of clients. The main population that I have served is children and adolescents. I am working to expand my knowledge and clinical expertise to also include more adults. My clinical trainings have included Play Therapy, CBT, TF-CBT, and EMDR.

I’m a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and National Board Certified Counselor (NBCC), who works with children, adolescents, and adults to navigate life’s challenges in a supportive and meaningful way. I strive to create a warm, welcoming, and nonjudgmental space where you can feel comfortable being yourself and exploring what’s on your mind.

I have experience helping clients manage anxiety, depression, trauma, anger, ADHD, relationship concerns, and major life transitions. Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or simply looking for personal growth, I work collaboratively with you to better understand your experiences and build tools for lasting change.

I have been leveling up my approach to psychotherapy for the span of my career, most recently completing training in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). This is now the primary approach of my practice. My career began nearly 15 years ago with victim advocacy, working with survivors of sexual violence, first as a volunteer then graduating to counselor as my education progressed. I also gained a great deal of experience in crisis response and substance use treatment from working in residential/inpatient facilities with adolescents and adults. A great deal of my clinical experience has been in practice of Dialectical Behavior and Cognitive Behavior Therapies, which continue to be solid supports for my work in EMDR with clients.

Hello! Thanks for checking out my profile, and congratulations on taking the first steps in trying to find the right therapist for you! Should you choose to work with me you'll learn plenty more about me, but to hit the highlights: I spent the first half of my career and vocational life working in non-profit management and fundraising before becoming a therapist. I'm divorced and have 50/50 custody with my co-parent of our two delightful children (11 & 13). I love nature, soccer, and cooking!

I work with couples and individuals 21+, and have a particular interest and passion in working with folks (whether individually or as a couple, friends, or members of a family) suffering from CPTSD, complicated grief, and significant attachment and developmental trauma.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 15 years of experience in mental health and substance use services, and have a postgraduate Certificate in Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy. I work with adults, with a particular passion for supporting women, LGBTQIA+, and BIPOC individuals, as well as those navigating post-psychedelic integration.

Our therapeutic partnership begins with the understanding that you are a whole person — not a diagnosis, a symptom, or a set of circumstances. Together, we will explore how the intersections of identity, lived experience, trauma, mental health, and substance use shape your inner world and outer life across biological, psychological, social, and spiritual dimensions.

Throughout my graduate and professional experiences, I have had the privilege of working with individuals from diverse backgrounds on issues including anxiety, self-esteem and identity, stress management, and life transitions. As a mother, I also have a passion for supporting expecting and new mothers as they prepare for and adjust to expanding their families. I prioritize developing a supportive, collaborative relationship with each client, helping them feel heard, understood, and empowered as they navigate life’s challenges.

I practice affirming, allied, feminist therapy rooted in empowerment and strengths perspectives. I acknowledge that late-stage capitalism is an implicit factor in functioning. I believe sleep, calories, and movement form the foundation for coping.