I am a psychodynamically trained Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). I have been working in the field for 7+ postgraduate years of experience helping a vast variety of clients in community mental health, street outreach, and private practice. Currently, I primarily work with clients struggling with anxiety as well as with a variety of life issues and relationship issues. I work to create a relational environment, build rapport with you, and understand what your goals are for therapy. I think therapy works best if there is a mutual relationship so I won’t simply sit back without speaking and occasionally ask how that makes you feel. I will be actively listening, asking questions, and pushing you to consider alternative options, perspectives and solutions, -when appropriate - to whatever is causing distress or stress in your life.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
In the first session with you, I will ask you questions relating to what brings you to therapy, your expectations of and past experience with therapy, as well as some psychosocial history. There is no set number of sessions; therapy sessions can continue as long as you feel that therapy is still useful. Therapy length can be an ongoing conversation that we have together. It is also common for clients to come back for a tune up every now and again to fine tune skills learned or work through a specific life event. Therapy is meant to aid you through the ups and downs of your life so for the most part, you get to decide the duration. I currently only work with individuals so no couples or family therapy. All appointments will be held via video conference as a telehealth appointment.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
I feel passionate about engaging with anxiety in all of its forms, all the ways that it can impact one’s life, in part, because I have struggled with anxiety and have been lucky to find strategies that have helped me. My personal experience with these symptoms also means that I’m not only interested in the topic but I’m also consistent in looking for new ways to manage and cope with anxiety symptoms. I understand how uncomfortable and, even, debilitating anxiety can be as well as the relief of effective coping strategies and I want to share them.
Describe the client(s) you are best positioned to serve.
Currently, I primarily work with clients struggling with anxiety as well as with a variety of life issues and relationship issues. People who choose to work with me are willing to engage in honest, open conversations not only about their symptoms but also working together to identify which strategies are no longer working and identify new ones that can be integrated into their lives. These individuals are interested in learning more about themselves and their patterns as well as exploring solutions that feel reasonable and well-fitted on a personalized level.
About Emily Schwartz
Specializes in
Serves ages
Licensed in
Accepts
Appointments
VirtualMy treatment methods
Psychodynamic
You’re invited to use the therapeutic space as a unique space to freely and authentically express yourself as well as to work out possible solutions. I try to create a relational setting in therapy and I will be an active partner in sessions. I will be actively listening, asking questions, and pushing you to consider alternative options, perspectives and solutions, -when appropriate - to whatever is causing distress or stress in your life. I think therapy works best if there is a mutual relationship so I won’t simply sit back without speaking and occasionally ask how that makes you feel. Within that conversational approach, I use evidenced based practices including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) with clients to help clients increase cognitive flexibility and engage with their own sense of agency over their lives as well as their thoughts and feelings. With that said, you have the power to scope out the specifics of this dynamic. I can provide homework as well as create a safe space for you to share and be yourself during sessions. My work with clients is often a mix of structured interventions such as homework between sessions as well as exploratory interventions such as unpacking relationship dynamics and family history Our work together can be structured (i.e. homework, worksheets, exercises) or exploratory (i.e. examining past relationships, childhood experiences and patterns) or a mix of both; the exact mix can be discussed and navigated together in our work during sessions.
Acceptance and commitment (ACT)
Within a conversational approach, I use ACT to introduce a blend of cognitive-behavioral techniques and mindfulness strategies in order to help my clients to accept what is beyond their control while committing to actions that enrich their lives.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
Within a conversational approach, I also use evidenced based practices including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help clients recognize the connection between their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and to identify cognitive and behavioral changes that might help to address particular challenges and presenting issues.