A New Home for Healing: Inside the Journey to Integrate’s New Building

By Alisa Krause, Kim Cinko, Ambur Gregorio and Jen Bennethum

There are moments in the life of a practice that feel less like milestones and more like beginnings. On August 1, 2026, Integrate Therapy and Wellness Collective will open the doors of a building that has been a process over a year in the making, a space shaped by intention, persistence, and a deep commitment to the people we serve. We wanted to share our journey with our clients and with the neighborhood we will soon call home, because this building isn’t just ours. It’s part of a community story we hope to nurture for years to come. As we prepare to welcome people seeking trauma therapy, somatic healing, and EMDR treatment and much more in our new Lancaster County location in Leola, it feels important to let you in on how this space came to life. Below is a conversation that we had with Ambur Gregorio, our Clinical Director and Founder of Integrate Therapy and Wellness Collective.

“The good life is a process, not a state of being. It is a direction, not a destination.” — Carl Rogers

When did you first realize we needed to look into buying our own building?

In the winter of 2025, we began looking for additional space. We had clients seeking quality somatic and trauma treatment, excellent clinicians reaching out to join our mission, and we were running out of room. Something had to give.

What were your biggest goals when you started looking for a new home for Integrate?

Space for therapists and our admin team to exist together. Being a therapist is a lot of direct work, and having a common space to connect and have a snack between caring for clients increases our ability to do better therapy work. I also wanted a space where we could offer other somatic processing interventions like yoga, garden therapy, and body‑based movement.

Was finding this building love at first sight, or did it take some imagination?

Imagination. It was an auction, which added a layer of anxiety and stress. It moves fast, you have to decide quickly, and it's hard to understand what they are saying. My husband thought we lost despite being there for the whole thing. He was surprised when the auctioneer came over to say congratulations.

Did you look at a lot of buildings before deciding on this one?

We did. We toured countless properties, made an offer on one that didn't work out, and even considered renting instead of buying. Looking back, every “no” led us here. This building fits who we are better than anything else we saw.

What made you say, “This is it”?

The quiet street in a residential community, the cozy corner in the back for outdoor therapy, the windows, and the three thousand square feet of completely open space. That openness allowed us to create exactly what we wanted it to be.

What part of the renovation surprised you the most?

Renovation is fun. Commercial zoning, permits, architectural and MEP drawings, code requirements, that was quite a journey.

Was there ever a moment you thought, “What have I gotten myself into?”

At least five times every week, but I never wanted to change course. The beauty of having a calm, peaceful space for clients to heal, for therapists to enjoy their workplace, and for growth is beyond worth what it took to get here.

What renovation decision are you especially proud of?

Saving the original wood wall at the entrance. It was buried beneath five layers of paint, and there were moments I wondered if it was worth the effort. Now it's one of my favorite features because it carries the history of the building into its next chapter. It feels grounding.

Were there any unexpected challenges or setbacks?

This question feels comical because yes. Parking requirements, zoning hearing boards, township board of supervisors, MEP drawings, architectural drawings. There was a time after we purchased the building that we thought we wouldn't be allowed to use it for Integrate because it didn't meet the minimum setback and parking requirements, which would prevent us from changing the zoning use. We navigated the various township meetings and with some creativity and problem solving, we were eventually approved.

If these walls could talk, what do you think they'd say about the renovation process?

I think they would say thank you for honoring our history as much as possible while giving this space new life. It felt important to keep the character of the building. The interior concrete wall instead of drywalling over it, refinishing the beautiful hardwood floors, sprucing up the old windows, and keeping the wood beam and accent wall.

What's one thing clients probably won't notice that required a tremendous amount of planning?

The comfort of the space. Things like sound privacy, lighting, air quality, accessibility, room placement, and flow all required countless conversations and decisions. If clients don't notice any of it, that probably means we did it well.

Every room feels intentional. How did you make decisions about the design?

Every decision came back to one question: will this help someone feel more at ease? We wanted the space to feel calm without feeling sterile, professional without feeling cold. Healing is hard enough. We wanted the environment to quietly support the work happening inside each room.

Is there one room or space that has become your favorite? Why?

The waiting area. It's the first impression clients have, and I love that it feels warm and cozy instead of clinical. Hopefully, people begin to relax and calm before they even meet with their therapist.

What details are you most excited for clients to see?

The little details. The natural wood, the plants, the light coming through the windows, the thoughtful touches throughout the building. None of them are dramatic on their own, but together they create a feeling.

How does this building better reflect Integrate's mission and values?

Our mission has always been to create a place where people feel safe enough to heal and where clinicians feel supported enough to do their best work. This building finally gives that mission a physical home. I'm also very excited that we are now ADA accessible. Our previous rented office was on the second floor of an old home. Through this design, we installed a new ADA ramp, ensured the height of all counters and sinks were accessible, created wider hallways, and designed an ADA bathroom.

What was your biggest lesson throughout this process?

The biggest lesson was learning to trust the process, even when I couldn't control it. I'm not naturally good at that. I like to solve problems, keep things moving, and see progress. This project forced me into situations where I was relying on architects, engineers, HVAC specialists, electricians, township officials, inspectors, and contractors, people who were experts in fields I knew almost nothing about.

There were plenty of moments where I wanted to push things forward but didn't even know the right terminology. Google became my crash course in everything from HVAC load calculations to MEP drawings and electrical requirements. It always made me laugh when professionals would reply with comments like, “Wow, you know a lot about HVAC.” The truth was, I didn't. I was just trying to gather enough to ask the right questions.

The hardest part wasn't learning new concepts. It was accepting that some things simply couldn't be rushed. We had hoped to open in April 2026, but the building wasn't ready until July. Every delay felt so significant because I knew there were clients waiting for care and a team of therapists who had outgrown our existing space. Looking back, I'm grateful we didn't cut corners just to meet a deadline. Healing deserves a space that was built with care, and this building is better because we took the time to get it right.

Who helped make this dream possible?

So many people. There is no way this building exists because of one person.

My husband is the real MVP. He designed it, redesigned it, adapted when zoning requirements changed, and then redesigned it again. At the auction, when the bidding climbed higher than I was comfortable with, I was ready to walk away. He's usually the cautious one, but that day he quietly told me over the mid‑auction break, “Keep going.” I'm so glad he did. Looking back, much of our marriage over the past year has revolved around conversations about this building.

Our boys gave up countless weekends to help, too. They cut down trees, hauled bricks, painted, installed trim, cleaned, and worked right alongside us. I hope one day they'll look around this building and know they helped create something that makes a difference in people's lives.

Our team showed incredible flexibility and patience through months of uncertainty and constant change. Our contractor was not only skilled but kind. He genuinely cared about the project and advocated for us when challenges came up. Family, friends, and so many others jumped in whenever they could.

What are you most excited for clients to experience in the new space?

Before a single word is spoken, I hope they feel welcomed, valued, and safe. So many of the people we serve have spent years living in survival mode. Their bodies have learned to anticipate danger long before their minds have a chance to evaluate whether they're actually safe. Because so much of our work is rooted in somatic healing, trauma‑informed care, and EMDR therapy, we believe the healing process doesn't begin when the therapy session starts. It begins the moment someone arrives. The environment itself can communicate, “You can exhale here.”

My hope is that clients notice their shoulders soften, their breathing slow, and a small sense of hope begin to emerge. Whether it's the natural light, the warmth of the wood, the quiet offices, or taking a moment in the garden before or after a session, I hope this space gently reminds people that healing is possible.

How will this building allow Integrate to grow in ways that weren’t possible before?

This building gives us room to grow, not just in size but in how we care for people. We'll be able to welcome more therapists, offer additional groups, and continue meeting the growing mental health needs of our community without sacrificing the warmth and personal connection that have always been at the heart of Integrate.

Just as importantly, this space gives us the opportunity to continue expanding our vision for whole‑person healing. Trauma doesn't just affect our thoughts. It affects our nervous systems, our relationships, and our bodies. Over time, we hope to thoughtfully incorporate more holistic, body‑based supports that complement excellent psychotherapy, creating opportunities for healing through connection, movement, nature, and community. Our vision has always been bigger than providing therapy sessions. We hope to create a place where people can reconnect with themselves in whatever ways support lasting healing.

When you finally unlocked the door after everything was finished, what did that moment feel like?

A long, delayed, built‑up moment of deep exhale, mixed with some of “is this real?” Gratitude. More than excitement, it felt like taking a deep breath after holding it in for a very, very long time.

If you could describe this new chapter in three words, what would they be?

Safety. Connection. Healing.

What do you hope this space represents for our community for years to come?

I hope this space becomes known as a place where people feel safe to be fully human. A place where there is no shame in asking for help, where people are met with compassion instead of judgment, and where healing feels possible regardless of where they're starting. I also hope it represents stability. A place our community can count on for years to come. A place filled with deeply skilled professionals who genuinely love what they do, continue to grow in their expertise, care well for one another, and feel supported so they can offer their very best to the people they serve. My hope is that this building becomes more than an office. I hope it becomes a trusted part of our community's story of healing.

What was the most exciting delivery that arrived?

The wood to frame the walls. We finally made it through the hoops, hurdles, and jumps of zoning and permitting, six months of it, and finally we had wood delivered and we could start framing the walls.

Moving Forward

As we step into this new chapter, what matters most is what this space will hold. Every decision, every delay, every unexpected challenge brought us to a building that finally reflects who we are and what we believe about healing. We didn’t just renovate a structure. We shaped a place where people can arrive exactly as they are, where therapists can do their best work, and where the community can find a steady, compassionate presence for years to come. This building carries the history of what it once was and the hope of what it will become, and we are honored to open its doors to the people who have trusted us with their stories.

If you’re seeking trauma‑informed therapy, EMDR, or somatic healing in Lancaster, we would be honored to support your journey. Our work has always centered on creating safety, connection, and the possibility of healing, and this new home allows us to offer that care with even more intention. Whether someone is taking their first step toward therapy or returning to continue the work they’ve already begun, we hope this space gently communicates that healing is possible and that they don’t have to walk that path alone.

This building represents the culmination of a year of imagination, problem‑solving, community support, and deep commitment to the people we serve. It reflects our mission, our values, and our belief that healing happens best in spaces designed with care. As we prepare to welcome clients, neighbors, and our Lancaster community into this new chapter, we carry immense gratitude for everyone who helped make it possible and immense hope for what will grow here. Please reach out to if you would like us to walk with you on your journey: Contact page

On August 1, 2026, we open our doors. We cannot wait to welcome you home.