Elpis Counseling

Counseling

I currently offer individual therapy only. Couples therapy is fully booked and not accepting new clients at this time.Therapy with me is focused on resolving the impacts of trauma, not just managing symptoms. Sessions are designed to be structured, intentional, and respectful of your nervous system—especially if you’ve lived through critical incidents or chronic stress.All sessions are 90 minutes and follow a consistent, trauma-informed flow:
First 30 minutes: We talk through what’s bringing you in. You share at the depth and detail you’re comfortable with. I actively structure this portion to ensure it is not re-traumatizing—no uncontrolled reliving, no flooding, no pressure.
Remaining 60 minutes: We use Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) to directly process the impacts of trauma. ART helps the brain restore traumatic memories in a way that reduces emotional and physiological distress.Many clients experience significant relief and often report that they no longer see, feel, or experience their trauma the same way after treatment. The goal is not to erase what happened—but to remove its grip on your present-day life. This work is active, focused, and results-oriented, while still moving at a pace that prioritizes safety and stability.Individual (60 min.) $200
Individual (90 min) $300
Couple (60 min) $250
Couple (90 min) $375

First Responder Peer Support Training

Is your first responder agency looking for a clear, field-tested roadmap to a comprehensive and culturally competent mental health program? I can help.I previously developed and coordinated a highly effective mental health program within a regional fire authority and bring that experience forward in my current work. I am a retired fire chaplain and now partner with agencies to strengthen, build, and sustain peer support programs that fit first responder culture and operational realities.Support can include program development, consultation, and 40-hour peer support training, which follows the Cover My Six Playbook—a framework I designed and authored specifically for firefighters.
If you are interested, please email with your agency details and contact information. We’ll schedule a call to discuss your needs, availability, and pay structure.You can also find more information at: drleasullivan.com

Cover My Six:
A Comprehensive Guide to Firefighter Care

Whether you’re a firefighter or someone supporting those who hold the red line, Cover My Six is your go-to resource for practical strategies, mental health support, and resilience-building techniques. Written by Dr. Lea Sullivan, this book offers evidence-based guidance tailored to the unique challenges of the firefighting profession.In Cover My Six, you’ll discover:
✅ Proven strategies to manage stress and prevent burnout
✅ Insights on building a support system, both at work and at home
✅ Tools for improving mental and emotional resilience
✅ And much more to help you navigate the demands of the job with strength and clarity.This book is more than just information—it’s a roadmap to help you thrive in a career that demands the best of you every day. Cover My Six is here to support you, because when you take care of yourself, you’re better able to take care of others. Tailored. Tactical. Firehouse fluent.Order your copy today and start your journey to stronger mental health, preventative resilience, and lasting well-being.

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Cover My Six: The Playbook

This hands-on workbook is built specifically for firefighter peer support teams navigating the mental and emotional challenges of the job. Cover My Six — The Playbook positions peer support as the bridge between trauma exposure and formal mental health care, offering clear frameworks, practical exercises, and reflection tools for lasting impact.Inside, you’ll learn how to:
✅ Master tactical listening and resilient responding
✅ Navigate crisis response and mutual aid activation
✅ Recognize red flags for suicide risk and take action
✅ Handle confidentiality and leadership dynamics with care
✅ Gain leadership buy-in and strengthen cross-agency collaboration
✅ Build personal resilience and mental armor for sustained serviceThrough guided exercises, partner practices, and group discussions, your team will develop the skills to stay effective, connected, and well in the demanding fire service environment.Order your copy today and take the next step in caring for those who serve on the front lines.

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about lea

Get to know me

Dr. Lea Sullivan (pronounced “Lee”) is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Ph.D. in Psychology & Counseling, and author of the Cover My Six series—a set of resources dedicated to firefighter resilience, peer support, and relational health. She is a Certified Emotionally Focused Therapist (EFT), trained in Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) for trauma, and a National Board Certified Counselor (NCC).Lea’s work is rooted in both professional expertise and lived experience. Her published research focuses on attachment bonds and firefighter resilience, and as a Fire Service Director of Mental Wellness, she developed the nation's first attachment-based mental health program for firefighters. She has also served as a volunteer first responder chaplain, working with both the red and blue lines.With over a decade of experience working alongside first responders, Lea has created a trusted space where firefighters and their partners can heal from trauma, strengthen their relationships, and build lasting resilience. She blends science, trauma resolution, and fire service culture to help people feel safe, seen, and supported.

about the model

Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART)

I am trained in Basic Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) and currently working toward full certification in this model. I offer ART to clients who are carrying the weight of trauma and trauma-related emotional wounds.ART is a powerful, evidence-based approach to healing. Instead of revisiting every detail of painful experiences, ART uses guided eye movements and imagery to help the brain replace distressing memories with positive, self-chosen images. What makes this approach so remarkable is its efficiency—many clients experience significant relief in just one to four sessions.Because ART does not require you to disclose the details of your trauma, you remain in control throughout the process. My role is simply to guide and support you as your mind and body do the work of healing. This allows you to move forward without the risk of re-traumatization, making the journey to relief and restoration more accessible, compassionate, and effective.

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about the model

Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)

I am a strengths-based therapist and whether meeting with an individual or couple, I will work with you using Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT). Rigorous studies have shown that 70 to 75 percent of couples who go through EFT recover from marital distress and 90 percent of couples have significantly improved (Johnson, Hunsley, Greenberg, & Schindler, 1999). The outcomes of EFT can be seen as the most positive and promising in the field of couple therapy.Additionally, EFT therapy for individuals and couples is the only model of therapy empirically showing a favorable impact on trauma symptoms beyond the three-year mark (Ganz et al., 2022; Halchuk et al., 2010; Johnson & Campbell, 2021). By comparison, cognitive behavioral approaches, have only shown favorable results up to 12 months post-treatment (van Dis et al., 2020). This lasting positive impact is especially vital for first responders who experience proximity and repeated exposure to critical incidents.

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