A Conversation with Emily Van Sickle: In-Person and Online Therapy in Richmond, VA

January 23, 2026

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Key Take Aways

1. Therapy should feel safe, human, and collaborative. Emily creates a space where clients can relax, show up as their genuine selves, and experience therapy as a partnership rather than a performance.

2. The relationship matters just as much as the tools. From shared curiosity to thoughtful pacing, Emily emphasizes connection, emotional safety, and attunement as the foundation for meaningful change.

3. There is no “right way” to start therapy. Whether you are nervous, unsure, or simply curious, showing up exactly as you are is more than enough to begin.

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Emily Van Sickle, Licensed Professional Counselor with Aspen Grove Wellness, who is currently accepting new patients in person in Richmond, VA and online in the rest of the state.

At Aspen Grove Wellness, we believe therapy works best when it feels deeply human, relational, and grounded in curiosity. We value presence over perfection, connection over performance, and thoughtful partnership over quick fixes. Emily Van Sickle, LPC embodies these beliefs in the way she shows up with clients and in the way she speaks about this work - with warmth, humility, and genuine care.

We sat down with Emily to talk about presence, partnership, and what it actually feels like to be in the therapy room with her. In this conversation, she shares her approach to creating emotional safety, her thoughts on therapeutic fit, and what she hopes clients experience when they choose to begin this work.

BEGINNINGS 

Stephanie McGraw: When someone sits down with you for the first time, whether in person or online, what do you hope they feel?

Emily Van Sickle: I hope they feel relaxed and at ease. I want it to feel like we are equals in this process, not like I’m the expert and they’re being evaluated. Most of all, I hope they feel like they can be their genuine selves without needing to perform or filter.

Stephanie: That makes so much sense. We are asked to perform in so many areas of our lives. Therapy shouldn’t have to be one of those spaces too. Many people understandably feel nervous about getting started. What do you do to help create safety early on?

Emily: I usually start by finding something human to connect over. A shared interest, something important to them, something that helps the space feel more real. I ask directly what they need to feel comfortable and I spend time learning about their past experiences with therapy - what worked and what didn’t.

I also bring curiosity into the room and share a bit about myself when it feels helpful. I try to let the conversation flow naturally rather than relying on standardized questions. That tends to help people settle in.

Stephanie: I love that! Creating shared ground is so important when starting any relationship, especially a therapeutic one. What is one thing you wish new clients knew before starting therapy?

Emily: That therapy is a space rooted in acceptance rather than judgment. We can move at your pace. You don’t have to dive into everything all at once. Showing up is the biggest step, even with uncertainty, is already a meaningful step.

Stephanie: Yes, it is! If someone is considering getting started with you, how would you describe your presence in the therapy room to them?

Emily: Casual, authentic, and genuine. I’m curious and truly interested in learning about you and your goals. I want people to feel like they’re talking to a real person, not someone hiding behind a clipboard.

FINDING THE RIGHT FIT IN THERAPY

Stephanie: In your experience, who tends to feel most at home working with you?

Emily: People who like a balance of structure and flexibility, and people who are open to creative or new approaches.

Stephanie: Are there particular challenges you feel especially drawn to?

Emily: I love working with individuals navigating life transitions, trauma, ADHD, and learning disabilities.

Stephanie: What do clients often say they appreciate about working with you?

Emily: They often mention my active listening and attention to detail, like remembering connections from past sessions. They also tell me I feel friendly and not scary, which I take as a big compliment.

Stephanie: As a clinician, I think it is really important to know what areas you feel more confident walking alongside someone else as well as those areas that are beyond our current scope of competence. Who might not be the best fit for your style?

Emily: Young children, since I have limited experience and materials there, and individuals experiencing active psychosis who need more acute or specialized care. Fit matters, and it’s okay to name that.

BEING HUMAN IN THIS WORK

Stephanie: What does “being human” in therapy mean to you?

Emily: Not being afraid to share emotion, admitting when mistakes happen, and understanding that not every strategy will work for every person.

Stephanie: I firmly believe that this work is a sacred calling and no one accidentally becomes of therapist. Would you mind sharing what originally pulled you toward this field?

Emily: Many of my family members work in helping roles, so I was exposed to this work early. I’ve always wanted to help people become as independent and supported as possible.

Stephanie: That’s beautiful. When you are not saving the world, what keeps you grounded outside of therapy?

Emily: Art projects, gardening, being outside, spending time with my family, and my cats.

THERAPY AS A PARTNERSHIP

Stephanie: Give me a glimpse behind the hood of your brain. When therapy is working well, what do you notice first?

Emily: Often it shows up in body language. People look more relaxed. They open up more easily. There’s a felt sense of progress before anything else.

Stephanie: Yeah, I think of it similarly to how it takes a long time for us to notice physical changes to our bodies. It makes sense that it may take time for us to notice gentle shifts to our interactions or thinking patterns. Along those lines, how do you balance structure and flexibility in sessions?

Emily: I always keep long-term and short-term goals in mind, but I start each session by asking what feels most important that day. If something pressing comes up, we pivot. The goals are there as a guide, especially if someone isn’t sure where to start.

Stephanie: That’s great! But what about people who feel stuck or unsure, because therapy hasn’t worked for them before?

Emily: I ask a lot of questions about what didn’t work and how they want therapy to feel this time. I invite them to share what they know about therapy and what they’ve tried. I explain that therapy can look very different depending on the relationship, and I emphasize choice. The therapeutic alliance matters.

WHY ASPEN GROVE WELLNESS

Stephanie: What drew you to Aspen Grove Wellness?

Emily: Honestly, the website. I remember thinking it sounded almost too good to be true. I hadn’t seen many practices be so open about their approach and intentionality.

Stephanie: As an organization, we really try to lean into our values. In your experience, how do shared values within a team impact client care?

Emily: Shared values mean everyone is doing the work for the right reasons, even if approaches differ. The intention behind the work stays consistent.

Stephanie: 100% yes! How do you hope clients experience Aspen Grove Wellness differently?

Emily: Through thoughtful matching from the start, kindness from every staff member, and a genuine passion for both clients and the work we do.

IN-PERSON AND ONLINE THERAPY IN RICHMOND, VA

Stephanie: We are rowing in the same direction to expand Richmond’s access to high quality, relationally-based, mental healthcare. What do you enjoy about offering in-person therapy in Richmond?

Emily: In-person sessions can help people be more present with fewer distractions. It also allows for observing body language in a way that can be really meaningful.

Stephanie: How does online therapy change access to care?

Emily: It opens the door for people who might otherwise struggle with transportation, schedules, location, or energy. It makes support more accessible.

Stephanie: What would you say to someone deciding between in-person and virtual therapy?

Emily: The most important thing is showing up consistently. Choose the option you feel most able to commit to and feel comfortable with.

FOR THE PERSON READING THIS

Stephanie: You’re absolutely right! If someone is on the fence about starting therapy, what would you want them to hear?

Emily: It’s okay to be on the fence. Therapy isn’t permanent. You can switch providers or stop if it doesn’t feel right. A therapist’s role is different from friends or family, and mental and physical health both matter.

Stephanie: What would you say to someone who worries they’re not ready?

Emily: I’d ask what being “ready” looks like to them and what feels like a barrier. Sometimes naming that is the first step.

Stephanie: I love that question. What does it mean to you when someone trusts you with their story?

Emily: It feels like an honor. It tells me I’m creating the kind of therapeutic relationship I always hoped for.

Stephanie: If someone only read one sentence about you, what would you want them to know?

Emily: That I am accepting and will show up for you in all seasons.

Stephanie: Thanks, Emily. I really appreciate you taking the time to show up and demystify some of this process for people who know they want help but haven’t been sure how to get started.

READY TO GET STARTED?

Emily Van Sickle, LPC is currently accepting new clients for in-person therapy in Richmond, Virginia and online therapy across Virginia through Aspen Grove Wellness.

If her approach resonates with you, we’d love to help you explore next steps. You don’t have to have everything figured out to reach out.

Call us at 804-404-2181 or click here to get started.

If you’re noticing a sense of relief, curiosity, or recognition as you read this, that might be worth listening to.