Leaning Tree began with one therapist who spent years witnessing a quiet truth: healing was needed, but access was limited, and the ones who needed help the most were often those who could least afford it. Amy was one therapist who could only see so many clients; who could only offer so many reduced fees and pro bono spots. But she was making a difference.

She was offering EMDR and expressive arts-based modalities, using creativity to open doors that words alone sometimes cannot. In her office, pastels and paintbrushes, paired with trauma processing and story became ways for people to reconnect with themselves, especially those carrying trauma, grief, or long‑held silence.

The idea for Leaning Tree grew slowly. It came from conversations with clients who had lost their insurance, from friends and family who wanted to contribute, and from the deep desire to build a safe space where people could heal and cost would never be a barrier.

Amy chose the name because a leaning tree is still standing. It may carry history, and weight, but it remains rooted and alive. It symbolizes resilience and the quiet strength that comes from weathering life’s storms. As a part of Leaning Tree, one needn’t weather the storms alone.

That is the heart of this nonprofit.