Trailhead Psychology

The Client

Trailhead Psychology is a Delaware, Ohio-based practice led by Dr. Leanna Pittsenbarger, specializing in psychological assessments and therapy for neurodivergent individuals. The practice takes a strengths-based, affirming approach—viewing neurodivergence as natural human diversity rather than a disorder to be fixed.

The Challenge

Dr. Pittsenbarger needed a website that would:

- Communicate her neurodivergent-affirming philosophy clearly - Feel warm and approachable to reduce anxiety around seeking mental health care - Provide clear information about services (assessments for ADHD, autism, learning disabilities; individual therapy) - Enable potential clients to easily schedule consultations - Work beautifully on mobile devices, where most users would first encounter the practice

Design Approach

The visual language draws heavily from the "trailhead" metaphor—the starting point of a journey:

• Nature-inspired palette - Forest greens, warm grays, and sage accents create a calming, organic feel
• Mountain imagery - Reinforces the journey metaphor and connects to the practice name
• Generous whitespace - Reduces visual anxiety and improves readability
• Serif headings with sans-serif body - Balances warmth with professionalism

Every design decision was made with the target audience in mind: individuals who may already feel anxious about seeking psychological services.

Technical Implementation

Built with Next.js and Tailwind CSS for:

• Fast page loads - Server-side rendering ensures content appears instantly
• Mobile-first responsive design - Looks great on any device
• Accessible markup - Proper heading hierarchy, color contrast, and screen reader support
• SEO optimization - Structured data and meta tags to help local clients find the practice

Key Features

- Clear service descriptions with pricing transparency - Provider bio establishing credentials and approach - Prominent call-to-action for scheduling consultations - Telehealth information for remote sessions - FAQ section addressing common concerns

Results

The website successfully conveys the practice's warm, affirming approach while maintaining the professionalism expected of a healthcare provider. The design has received positive feedback from clients who noted it helped reduce their anxiety about reaching out.