Leana Sykes M.Ed, LPC, ACS

In-person and virtual availability

Hi, I’m Leana Sykes, owner of Grounded Growth Counseling.

I’m a licensed therapist with over 25 years of experience supporting individuals, couples, and families through some of the most difficult, and meaningful, moments in their lives.

My work is grounded in a deep understanding of relationships, attachment, and emotional safety. Whether I’m working with a couple in crisis, someone navigating anxiety or life transitions, or a partner unsure about the future of their relationship, my focus is always the same: helping people move from feeling stuck and disconnected to feeling clear, steady, and more like themselves.

Before building my private practice, I spent decades as a school counselor and director of school counseling, where I supported students, families, and staff through complex emotional and relational challenges. That experience continues to shape how I work, practical, attuned, and deeply respectful of each person’s story.

My Approach to Therapy

Therapy with me is active, collaborative, and focused on meaningful change.

I integrate:

• Attachment-based work

• PACT (Psychobiological Approach to Couple Therapy) principles

• Trauma-informed approaches, including IFS, EMDR, and Brainspotting

But more important than any model is how we work together.

I believe therapy should feel like:

• A place where you can be honest, even about the hard things

• A relationship where feedback is welcomed and used

• A process where you can actually see your progress over time

That’s why I intentionally build in ongoing conversations about what’s working and what isn’t, so our work stays aligned with your needs and goals.

Who I Work Best With

I specialize in working with:

• Couples who feel disconnected, stuck, or uncertain about their future

• Individuals navigating relationship patterns, anxiety, or major life transitions

• Partners experiencing ambivalence about staying or leaving

• Clients who want more than insight, they want real, lasting change

Many of the people I work with are thoughtful, capable, and used to holding a lot together for others, but internally feel overwhelmed, disconnected, or unsure of their next step.

What You Can Expect

Clients often tell me they feel:

• More clear about what they want and need

• More confident communicating honestly

• More grounded and less reactive

• More hopeful about their relationships and their future

I bring a balance of clinical expertise, directness, and warmth to the work. I’ll support you, but I’ll also help you look at the patterns that are keeping you stuck, so things can actually shift.

Credentials & Professional Background

• Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), New Jersey

• Over 25 years of experience in counseling and mental health

• Specialized training in couples therapy, attachment, and trauma-informed care

A Thoughtful, Grounded Space for Change

Reaching out for therapy can feel like a big step,especially if you’re unsure what comes next.

You don’t need to have everything figured out before you start.

You just need a place where you can be honest, feel supported, and begin to make sense of what’s happening.

That’s the work we’ll do together.

“I can be changed by what happens to me, but I refuse to be reduced by it.”
— Maya Angelou