Me:

I’m Brian Strode, an LPC licensed in Virginia, specializing in helping adults manage stress and mood dysregulation, understand their emotional patterns, and build the resilience needed to thrive—not just get by. With more than 15 years of experience, my work focuses on strengthening the core areas of life that support stability, wellbeing, and meaningful personal growth. My counseling approach is structured, trauma-informed, and grounded in the SixSpeed model—a clear, step-by-step framework designed to improve emotional regulation, reduce burnout, and rebuild the internal stability that makes forward movement possible.

Who I Work With

Over the years, I’ve helped individuals navigate a wide range of emotional, relational, and occupational challenges, including:

• Anxiety, depression, and mood disruptions

• Burnout and compassion fatigue

• Trauma and PTSD

• Emotion regulation

• Men’s issues

• Relationship and attachment patterns

• Communication challenges

• Self-esteem and confidence

• Work–life imbalance and occupational stress

• First responder, military, medical, and other high-risk professional stress

• Touring/high-travel entertainer stress

• Athletic mindset and performance strain

• Physical wellness and mind–body integration

My specialty is working with people in demanding or high-pressure environments. These individuals often carry a significant emotional load from roles that require constant performance, responsibility, and composure.

Why I Became a Counselor

Before becoming a therapist, I worked as a firefighter and paramedic. That experience gave me firsthand insight into high-stress, high-risk professions—where trauma, responsibility, and relentless pressure can deeply affect mental health, identity, and relationships. Through this work, I learned a universal truth: Pressure in one area of life always finds its way into the others.

This realization shaped my counseling career. I began supporting first responders and later expanded to medical professionals, military communities, athletes, entertainers, and others navigating stress and scrutiny in their daily lives.

Despite the differences between these fields, they share familiar themes:

• Emotional exhaustion

• Trouble shutting “off”

• Strained relationships

• Constant pressure to perform

• Identity tied to work

• Difficulty managing internal load

These experiences helped shape the SixSpeed model and my belief that resilience is built intentionally—gear by gear, step by step.

Professional Background

I earned my M.S.Ed. in Counseling from Old Dominion University in 2009, a CACREP-accredited program. My professional experience spans:

• Outpatient private practice

• Crisis intervention

• Long-term therapy for complex emotional and occupational stress

• Short-term, solution-focused counseling to help clients stabilize quickly and get back on the road of life

I’m passionate about helping clients understand the science behind mental health, reducing stigma, and empowering individuals with strategies they can use long after therapy ends.

Outside the Office

Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my spouse, children, and dogs. I stay active through running, marathon training, and sports—especially baseball, ice hockey, and MMA. I also love playing drums, attending concerts, traveling, and exploring historical landmarks. Whether I’m at a ballpark, a rock show, or walking through a historic battlefield, I’m always drawn to the deeper stories behind the places I visit.

What You Can Expect

When you choose to work with me, you can expect a structured, supportive process designed to help you understand your emotional patterns, strengthen your internal foundation, and create sustainable forward movement. My goal is not only to help you feel better—but to help you build clarity and resilience that last.

About Me