Licensed to practice in 2 states and accepts 14 insurances. Specializes in Anxiety, Coping Skills and 1 more.
Whether you're looking to improve your emotional wellbeing, strengthen your relationships, or navigate a specific life challenge, talk therapy is an excellent place to begin. I bring a unique interdisciplinary background to my work, holding a Bachelor of Arts in Music and a Master of Arts in Psychology. My approach is creative, collaborative, and personalized. When appropriate, I incorporate elements of music and expressive arts into therapy to help clients access emotions, build insight, and develop new coping skills. With my background in the arts, I am particularly passionate about supporting fellow artists, performers, creatives, and individuals struggling with performance anxiety, perfectionism, self-confidence, and the pressures of high achievement. I also have over a decade of experience working with anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, self-esteem concerns, life transitions, and personal growth. I consider it a privilege to work in this field and to have worked with diverse populations across California, the Hawaiian Islands and most recently, Northern Virginia and Washington, D.C.
First sessions can be thought of as a casual conversation and introductions for both of us. We'll talk about your needs and set goals for therapy.
My goal is to provide a compassionate, interactive space where clients feel supported while making meaningful and lasting changes in their lives. For couples, I help partners improve communication, strengthen connection, navigate conflict, and build healthier relationship patterns. Additionally, I've authored multiple therapy workbooks, which I would be happy to share with clients. I also enjoy contributing to public mental health conversations, particularly around the intersection of mental health and music, and have been quoted in TIME Magazine, HuffPost, WebMD, Healthline, Cosmopolitan, VeryWellMind, The Washington Post, Instyle, Newsweek, WomensHealth, and Today.com, among others. (More info at: www.compasscounselingdc.com/media)
I work with individuals seeking personal growth and greater confidence in themselves and their lives. This often includes musicians, artists, performers, and other creative professionals. Areas of focus are tailored to each client's unique needs, but commonly include developing healthy coping skills, improving relationships with family, friends, colleagues, or significant others, strengthening self-esteem, enhancing body image, and navigating life transitions. Whether you're experiencing anxiety, facing creative challenges or performance anxiety, adjusting to a major life change, or struggling with self-doubt, therapy can provide support, insight, and practical tools for lasting growth.
Other specialties
I identify as
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
This approach looks at thoughts and feelings that drive behaviors. CBT helps you achieve your goals by challenging your inner narrative.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
This approach helps you understand and regulate intense emotions. DBT is cognitive, but also utilizes mindfulness techniques.
2 ratings with written reviews
May 29, 2025
Emily is incredible. She keeps me grounded and focused on being my true self. She offers great skills for coping, situational advice, and emotional awareness. What sets her apart is how deeply she listens — with empathy, without judgment — and how she helps me navigate challenges with clarity and confidence. Her guidance isn’t just practical; it’s deeply personal, rooted in a genuine understanding of who I am and who I want to become. Working with her has been transformative.
April 25, 2025
Emily is incredible. She challenges me in all the right ways and consistently grounds me in my spirituality when I need it most. After each session, I walk away feeling refreshed and renewed. Her guidance—whether it's for life, personal matters, or anything in between—is always insightful and deeply meaningful. Emily’s warmth and attentive listening make me feel truly seen and heard. Her advice is not only thoughtful but genuinely helpful, and I’m so grateful to have her in my corner.