Today we’d like to introduce you to Leslie De Graaf.
Hi Leslie, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I began my career as a school counselor and later became a Licensed Mental Health Counselor specializing in trauma therapy and EMDR. In 2018, I founded Everthrive Counseling in New Port Richey, an insurance-based group practice built on the belief that therapy should be accessible, compassionate, and rooted in growth. Over the years, Everthrive has grown into a thriving practice with a team of dedicated therapists serving individuals and families across Pasco County.
As my passion for trauma work deepened, I launched Tampa EMDR, a cash-pay practice tailored specifically for trauma recovery and nervous system healing. Tampa EMDR provides an intimate, specialized space for weekly EMDR therapy for trauma healing and EMDR therapy intensives. I focus on deeper nervous system regulation work, helping clients move beyond coping and into genuine healing.
More recently, I founded Rooted and Radiant Press, where I write and publish books for women navigating transition and self-rediscovery. My first book, Empty Nest, Full Heart, was inspired by my own experience of becoming an empty nester, a season that brought both grief and growth.
Through each chapter of my career, my mission has stayed the same: to create spaces where people feel safe, supported, and empowered to heal, whether that’s through therapy, education, or storytelling.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. Like most entrepreneurs in the helping professions, I built my businesses through seasons of both deep purpose and real challenge. In the early years, I struggled with burnout, learning to balance being a therapist, business owner, wife, and mom. There were moments of doubt, especially when I first opened Everthrive Counseling. I often wondered if I could manage the administrative side of running a group practice while still being fully present for my clients.
As both practices grew, I had to learn to delegate, trust my team, and honor my own nervous system. There were financial and logistical hurdles, but the biggest growth came from learning to apply the same compassion I offer my clients to myself.
Now, I see those struggles as part of the story. Every challenge has shaped how I lead, parent, and show up in the world, with more patience, authenticity, and groundedness than before.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
At Tampa EMDR, my focus is helping people heal deeply and feel safe in their own bodies again. I specialize in EMDR therapy, the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) for nervous system regulation, a form of clinical sound healing, and hypnotherapy. These evidence-based methods go beyond talk therapy to help clients process trauma, reduce anxiety, and restore emotional balance. My approach is grounded in the belief that true healing happens when the mind and body learn to work together again.
Through Rooted and Radiant Press, I extend that same message of healing and self-discovery beyond the therapy room. I write and create resources for women navigating major life transitions, especially midlife and empty nest seasons, combining psychology, nervous system education, and compassionate storytelling. In addition to writing, I also offer coaching for women who are ready to rediscover themselves, create new meaning, and feel rooted and radiant in this next chapter of life.
Together, Tampa EMDR and Rooted and Radiant Press share one mission: helping people move from survival to connection and from self-doubt to self-trust.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
Something most people don’t know about me is that I lived in Singapore for five years and traveled extensively throughout Southeast Asia. That experience completely shaped how I see the world. It taught me to value curiosity, connection, and the beauty of diverse perspectives. I loved every part of it; the food, the culture, the kindness of people, and the reminder that healing, growth, and belonging look different in every part of the world. That global perspective now influences how I approach both my clinical work and my writing, with openness, humility, and a deep respect for each person’s unique story.
Pricing:
- $175 per hour for EMDR therapy
- The Reimagined Life Coaching Experience: 3 months, $2,200
- $250 per hour for EMDR intensives
- $175 per hour for Hypnotherapy
- Safe and Sound Protocol: Full 12-Month Access + 5 Guided Sessions: $1,200 paid in full
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.tampaemdr.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tampaemdr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tampaemdr
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lesliedegraaf/
Image Credits
Beckah Lee Photography
