Big Oak Wellness

08/27/2026

When finances are tight, mental health tends to get put last. That's why we offer ways to save when working with Big Oak. Here are some of the ways we try to make therapy more affordable:

Sliding scale for students, educators, veterans, and anyone for whom finances are a barrier to getting support
Lending library with plenty of books available to check out
Big Oak Wellness Community Fund, which covers sessions or yoga classes for those who need it
Getting to the root of things, so therapy doesn't have to drag on longer than it needs to

We also offer free 15 minute consultations. big-oak-wellness.janeapp.com

08/14/2026

Meet our newest clinician, Julia Baruffi, LPC

We're so glad to welcome Julia to the Big Oak team. She's a Licensed Professional Counselor specializing in trauma and brain-body healing, and she works with teens (16+) and adults navigating complex trauma, anxiety, body image, and marginalized identity experiences.

If you've been searching for a therapist for your teenager or young adult, Julia is who you've been looking for. She creates a grounded, compassionate space where teens and young adults can feel genuinely seen, not judged, not managed, just supported.

Julia centers her work in EMDR, Internal Family Systems, person-centered care, and expressive techniques tailored to each client's path.

A quick note: Julia is currently pursuing her doctorate in Counselor Education and Supervision alongside her clinical work, so she's intentionally keeping a small caseload. If you or your teen have been waiting for the right fit, we'd reach out sooner rather than later.

Welcome, Julia. We're lucky to have you. 🤍

Bookings are open on our booking site (listed in comments) or you can email Julia directly.

Integrative counseling, trauma-conscious yoga, and wellness coaching in Roanoke, VA and virtually across Virginia. EMDR, IFS, Gottman Method, and more — schedule a free 15-minute virtual consult today.

08/04/2026

We spend so much time looking outside ourselves for answers. The right expert. The right guide. The next book, program, or person who seems to have it more figured out than we do.

And there's real value in guidance, don't get me wrong. We need the mirrors in our relationships. But somewhere along the way, a lot of us start to believe the answer lives out there instead of in here.

Here's what over fifteen years of doing this work has taught me. Nobody, no expert, no guide, no teacher, has more data on you than you do. You've lived every second of your life inside your own body. You know things about yourself that no outside voice ever could.

So what if the wisdom you're chasing isn't something you need to find? What if it's something you already carry, and you just need help clearing away the noise so you can hear it?

That's actually the whole point of therapy done well. We're not here to hand you answers or tell you who you are. We're here to help you remember what you already know, and build tools so that trust in yourself gets stronger, not weaker, over time.

Rebuilding trust in yourself doesn't have to happen alone. Reach out for a free 15 minute consultation and let's talk about what that could look like for you.

08/03/2026

Self-criticism can stuck more energy. Learning to self-assess without judgement is a helpful tool! Check out our YouTube for the full version 🧡

07/28/2026

Somewhere along the way, the word trauma got stretched so wide it started to lose its real meaning. So let's slow down and actually separate the two things people usually mean when they say it.

Big T trauma is what most of us picture first. The car accident. Abuse. Natural disaster. The event that is undeniably, obviously overwhelming, the kind that meets criteria in a diagnostic manual without much debate.

Little t trauma is quieter and more common. The parent who was physically present but emotionally unavailable. The years of being the "easy" kid because no one had room for your needs. The relationship that slowly taught you to shrink and that your needs don't matter. None of it might scream "THIS HURT ME", but it still shapes a nervous system.

And then there is generational trauma, which honestly does not sit neatly in either category. Sometimes it looks like Big T, a specific event passed down through a family's story, genocide, oppression. Sometimes it looks like little t, the quiet inherited habits of silence or fear or control that got handed to you before you ever had a say in it. Either way, you were carrying something heavy before you even knew you picked it up.

Here is the part our culture keeps missing. It was never really about the size of the event. It is about what happened inside of you. People can experience the same event, but it affects them differently. Whether that wound got room to actually heal, or whether it got covered over so you could keep functioning. It's all survival. We are wired to survive. What if we don't want to just survive? What if we want to thrive?? Learning to listen to your body with compassion and curiosity is a great way to start.

07/10/2026

Hi, I'm Emily 👋

I made this little "get to know me" blurb because I realized most people only see the therapist side of me, not the actual human behind it.

Here is my human side: I ride motorcycles. I cannot stand the smell of burnt popcorn. Diet coke must be in a can. I love dancing in my kitchen (Ed Sheeran "Sapphire" is my fam's favorite right now).

I started Big Oak because I wanted to do this work in a way that actually felt like me. I feel like I blend science and soul pretty well.

The thing I'm working on right now is having the confidence to put myself out there more. It does not come easy to me, even if it may seem that way. I am a recovering perfectionist and chronic distractor.

So tell me below - what is something about human Emily that you may want to know more about?

06/25/2026

Come inside Big Oak's space!!

06/24/2026

Honestly? We could all use some rest right now. So come get some! Our July Donation-Based Restorative class is happening Wednesday, July 1st at 6pm.

This one is capped at 10 people and spots are first come first served so if you've been wanting to try it, now's the time. Suggested donation is $20 but we're open whatever you can give.

All donations go directly to the Big Oak Wellness Community Fund, supporting folks in our community who need access to wellness services.

Donate via PayPal (link in comments) to save your spot.

One small heads up: because this class is donation based, we aren't able to offer refunds if you can't make it. We hope you understand 💛

06/15/2026

Lending library available for current active clients 💫

06/09/2026

We don't take insurance, and it's intentional.

We believe your healthcare decisions belong to you and your provider. Not a corporation. Not a middleman. Not someone reviewing your file who has never met you. Your healing journey is yours alone, and your privacy should always be protected.

But we also know that choosing not to work with insurance means the financial burden can fall harder on the people who need support the most. That's something we think about a lot.

We offer a sliding scale because this was never about making more money — it's about making sure as many people as possible can access the support they need. And even still, we know that sometimes even the sliding scale can be out of reach.
That's why we created the Big Oak Wellness Community Fund. 💛

Donations made will go directly toward supporting people in our community who cannot afford therapy or yoga offerings. No strings. No red tape. Just people taking care of people.

If you're in a position to give, we are so grateful. And if you're someone who needs support — we see you, and this fund exists for you. Please reach out. Link to donate here: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=8GYFZWEFC5B9G