New to Grow
Hi! My name is Emily. I am glad to meet you and share a little about myself. I have been a Licensed Clinical Social Worker for over 10 years. In college, I focused on mental health and working with diverse populations. I currently reside in the Pittsburgh area, but I originated from North Carolina. I consider myself dedicated, creative and empathetic and look forward to working with you.
In our first session together, here's what you can expect
When I first meet a client, I try to make my client feel as comfortable as possible. I integrate the usual questions of an assessment into a conversation. I find it crucial to build a connection with my client while also creating a warm and inviting environment so that my client feel comfortable sharing what they can during their first appointment.
The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions
I consider myself personable, creative, empathetic and understanding. I have been doing social work for almost 20 years, with an extensive background in trauma work. I have also worked in a range of environments, including 2 major hospital systems and private practice. I have been doing tele-therapy for over 6 years. Some of my clients have had success in a short amount of time and some clients have been checking in with me for several years. I am open to meeting my client where they are at!
The clients I'm best positioned to serve
I work well with an eclectic population of people. I work well ages 13-75. I like clients who are motivated but do not necessarily have a clear idea of where they want to go or how to get there. I work with creative, open and complex clients. I have a strong background in working with women, perinatal women, and those within the LGBTQ community. I have worked in two hospital systems in Pittsburgh and have a personal and professional understanding of chronic illness and how it impacts a person's mental health.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
CBT is at the core of a lot of my work. I feel that when a client can see the connection between their thoughts, feelings and actions, real growth can begin.
Cognitive Processing (CPT)
CPT has been a great approach to trauma treatment for many clients. When I meet a client who wants to confront their history of trauma and is not sure where to start, CPT is often a great first step.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
DBT offers a lot of great coping skills for clients, for both acute and chronic symptoms. I love to incorporate distress tolerance skills into my work.
EMDR
I have been practicing EMDR treatment for over 5 years. It has greatly helped my clients progress with their trauma recovery.
Mindfulness-Based Therapy
I utilize mindfulness in all of my work, with the goal of assisting my clients with developing awareness and insight into their own behaviors and thoughts.