Hi, I'm Emily. Something brought you to this website in search of a therapist or counselor. Maybe it was a single event or problem, like a loss of a loved one or a sudden change in job status. Or maybe you've been struggling with a multitude of stressors and are feeling burned out, anxious, depressed, disconnected, and fatigued. What would your life be like if you no longer experienced these issues? How do you get to that point? These questions are the foundation of my therapeutic approach, which is goal-oriented, solution-focused, and personalized to you as an individual. Your goals are unique to you, so it takes a unique approach in order to help you reach them. Together, we will identify your goals, the barriers you face, and how to overcome them to get to where you want to be. Our past and current interpersonal relationships influence our own mental health status and are often the source of past trauma. I focus on building interpersonal skills such as conflict resolution, communication, and identification of healthy and unhealthy relationship dynamics to help heal trauma, and build a solid personal and professional support system to use long after our work together is completed. Since interpersonal relationships are so important to us as social creatures, the therapeutic relationship between client and therapist is key to healing. Not every therapist works for every client. If, during our work together, you feel that this relationship is not a good fit for you, I am here to help you find someone who is. Please note that I am a LGBTQIA+ affirming therapist.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
In our first session, I will review confidentiality and some parts of the informed consent form, discuss previous therapy experiences, gather details about your history based on your responses to the initial intake form. We may discuss family history, previous treatment history, mental health and substance use history, early childhood experiences, and past/current mental health diagnoses and symptoms. You will have the opportunity to ask questions throughout session, and are welcome to ask about my previous experience, treatment approach, or other relevant information pertaining to your treatment goals/preferences.
What treatment methods and tools do you utilize?
Our work together will be in a solution-focused talk-therapy format, in which you will bring to the session whatever topics or concerns feel most relevant to you. I encourage my clients to jot down questions, difficulties, successes, etc between sessions, and to be an active participant in therapy. I draw on skills and concepts from solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), and interpersonal psychotherapy, and integrate them into an individualized approach based on your goals, strengths, presenting problems, cultural context, and other relevant information gathered during the intake process. My training involved an emphasis on trauma-informed care, which underpins every method and tool that I use in my practice.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
I lean on humor and creativity in my practice. While therapy can be difficult, vulnerable - even uncomfortable at times - there is room to be goofy, silly, and artistic, as well. Our authentic selves are complex and interesting, and I'm always seeking to create a level of comfort in my sessions in which you can access your authenticity organically, and use humor and creativity as part of your skillset.