LaunchPad Counseling

05/16/2026

We’re excited to welcome Eleanor Kiarsis, LPC, to the LaunchPad Counseling team.

Eleanor works with children, teens, and adults who feel overwhelmed, emotionally stuck, anxious, disconnected, or unsure how to move forward. She has a calming, down-to-earth approach that helps clients feel safe enough to open up without pressure or judgment.

She especially connects well with kids and teens who either shut down quietly or express emotions in big ways—and she works closely with parents to better understand what’s underneath those behaviors and how to respond effectively at home.

Eleanor incorporates play therapy, creative approaches, mindfulness, and trauma-informed care to help clients build confidence, emotional awareness, and healthier ways to cope.

She is now accepting new clients for in-person therapy in Richmond and virtual therapy across Virginia.

Learn more in the comments 👇

05/04/2026

Now Offering ADHD counseling for Adults!

We’re excited to share that Gabrielle Crowe is now working with adult clients navigating ADHD.

ADHD does not just show up as distraction. It can look like burnout, overwhelm, difficulty following through, or feeling stuck even when you know exactly what to do. If that sounds familiar, you are not alone.

Gabrielle helps adults build practical strategies to improve focus, manage time, and reduce mental clutter, while also addressing the emotional side of ADHD like frustration, self doubt, and feeling behind.

Whether you were recently diagnosed or have been dealing with this for years, support can make a real difference.

In person in Richmond and online across Virginia!

You can request an appointment by email, [email protected] or 804-665-4681.

Gabrielle provides therapy for teens and adults in Richmond, specializing in racial and intergenerational healing, LGBTQIA+ identity, and trauma. As a 2nd generation SE Asian woman, she offers a multicultural lens for BIPOC, immigrants, and neurodivergent clients. In-network with Aetna, Cigna, and S

03/30/2026

You don’t over-explain because you talk too much.

You over-explain because you’re trying to be understood.

So you add more context.
More detail.
More clarification.

Just to make sure it lands the right way.

Because at some point,
being misunderstood didn’t feel safe.

So now you try to cover every angle…
before someone can get it wrong.

But it’s exhausting—
feeling like you have to explain yourself
just to be okay.

You’re allowed to take up space
without over-justifying it.

You’re allowed to be understood
without working this hard for it.

And this is something you don’t have to keep navigating alone.

If this feels familiar, you don’t have to figure it out alone.

03/27/2026

It starts small.

They didn’t text back.

Then your mind fills in the rest.

Maybe they’re upset.
Maybe you said something wrong.
Maybe you should’ve handled it differently.

So you replay it.
Reanalyze it.
Rewrite it.

Trying to figure out what happened…
before anything actually did.

That’s anxiety logic.

It doesn’t wait for evidence.
It builds a story—and asks you to believe it.

Not because you’re irrational.
Because your brain is trying to protect you
from getting it wrong.

But not every thought is a warning.
And not every silence means something is wrong.

You deserve to feel at ease in your own mind.

If this feels familiar, you don’t have to figure it out alone.

03/26/2026

Even when things feel okay…
you’re waiting.

Waiting for the shift.
For something to go wrong.
For the feeling to drop out from under you.

So you don’t fully relax.
You stay a little on edge.
Just in case.

Because at some point,
“good” didn’t last.

So now your mind tries to get ahead of it—
to predict it, prevent it, control it.

Not because something’s wrong with you.
Because you learned to be ready.

But always being ready
is exhausting.

And it keeps you from actually feeling
what’s here now.

You don’t have to live bracing for impact.

You can learn to feel safe
even when things are calm.

If this feels familiar, you don’t have to figure it out alone.

03/25/2026

From the outside, it might look like you don’t care.

You go quiet.
You pull back.
You shut down.

But inside?
Everything is loud.

Your mind is racing.
Your chest is tight.
You’re trying not to make it worse.

So you say nothing…
not because you don’t have anything to say—
because it doesn’t feel safe to say it.

That’s not avoidance.
That’s protection.

At some point, your system learned:
conflict = danger.

And it’s been trying to keep you safe ever since.

But you don’t have to disappear to stay safe.

You can learn to stay… and still feel okay.

- If this feels familiar, you don’t have to figure it out alone. -

03/24/2026

From the outside, it looks like you have it together.

You get things done.
You show up.
You stay ahead.

But inside?
Your mind never turns off.

There’s always something to fix.
Something to prepare for.
Something you might’ve missed.

So you keep going…
not because you want to—
because it feels like you have to.

That’s not just being “driven.”
That’s anxiety working overtime.

You don’t have to live like this forever.

If this feels familiar, you don’t have to figure it out alone.

08/22/2025

Feeling overwhelmed by college anxiety?

Our latest blog post on anxiety therapy for students is out! Learn why you're not alone and how support from a counselor can transform your college experience.

Feeling overwhelmed by college anxiety in Richmond, VA? Our latest blog post on anxiety therapy for students is here to help. Learn why you're not alone and how professional support can transform your college experience.

07/18/2025

It hits when you realize those "simple" tasks you kept postponing have snowballed into an overwhelming mountain. This cycle of procrastination leading to overwhelm (and then more procrastination!) is a common source of stress, especially for those managing anxiety, depression, or ADHD.

At Launchpad, we understand that it's not about laziness; it's often about executive dysfunction, fear of imperfection, or simply feeling too burdened to start. The "shock" of the accumulated tasks can make it even harder to break free.

Our therapists help clients unpack why they procrastinate, develop strategies to break down daunting tasks, and build momentum towards sustainable action. Let's turn that mountain back into molehills and reclaim your peace of mind.

07/17/2025

Life is full of profound mysteries, but sometimes the most pressing questions are the ones that constantly buzz in our own minds. 🤔 For many, the struggle to stop comparing oneself to others, especially on social media, is a daily challenge that deeply impacts self-esteem and mental health.

At Launchpad, we understand how pervasive social comparison can be, fueling anxiety, depression, and feelings of inadequacy. It's a trap many fall into, constantly scrolling and feeling "less than."

Our therapists help clients explore the roots of comparison, challenge self-critical thoughts, and build a stronger sense of self-worth that isn't dependent on external validation. Let's ditch the endless comparison and find true contentment within yourself.