LCSW, 10 years of experience
New to Grow
Hi, I’m Emay Wessner, a licensed clinical social worker. I specialize in working with veterans and individuals who have experienced trauma, helping them process difficult experiences and move toward healing. My style is warm, collaborative, and down-to-earth—I believe therapy works best when you feel safe, respected, and supported. I’m trained in evidence-based approaches including Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), and Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT). These tools give us structure when it’s helpful, but I always tailor treatment to your unique needs and pace. Whether you’re feeling stuck in past experiences, navigating a life transition, or wanting to strengthen your relationships, we’ll work together to build skills, resilience, and confidence. At the heart of my work is the belief that change is possible, and that you don’t have to go through it alone. My goal is to create a safe space where you can share openly, gain insight, and take meaningful steps toward the life you want.
In our first session, my focus is on getting to know you and what brings you to therapy. We’ll talk about your goals, what you’ve been experiencing, and what you hope to get out of our work together. I’ll also share more about my approach so you have a clear sense of what therapy with me will feel like. This first meeting isn’t about diving too deep too fast—it’s about creating a safe space where you feel comfortable and understood. Together, we’ll start to build a plan that fits your needs and moves at your pace. By the end of the session, you’ll have a sense of what working together will look like and the next steps for your journey.
One of my greatest strengths as a therapist is my ability to create a safe, supportive, and nonjudgmental space where clients feel heard and understood. I combine evidence-based methods like Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), and Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT) with a personalized, collaborative approach, tailoring treatment to each person’s unique needs and goals. Clients often tell me that my warm, patient, and practical style helps them feel empowered to explore difficult experiences, build coping skills, and make meaningful changes in their lives. I focus on both understanding the challenges clients face and equipping them with concrete tools to move forward, which consistently leads to lasting progress and improved well-being.
My ideal clients are individuals who have experienced trauma and are ready to take steps toward healing, even if they’re unsure where to start. Many of the people I work with struggle with the lingering effects of PTSD, depression, anxiety, or difficulties in relationships. Some feel stuck in old patterns, while others are navigating major life transitions and want support in finding their footing. I’m especially well-suited to work with those who value a collaborative approach—people who may feel ambivalent about therapy at first but are open to exploring new perspectives and building skills along the way. Whether your goal is to process past experiences, improve daily functioning, or strengthen connections with others, I provide a supportive space to help you move forward at your own pace.
I am trained in Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) and use it regularly in my work with veterans experiencing PTSD. I guide clients in identifying and challenging “stuck points” through structured worksheets, cognitive restructuring, and exploration of themes such as safety, trust, and self-esteem. My approach balances fidelity to the model with flexibility, integrating motivational interviewing to enhance engagement. CPT has proven highly effective in helping veterans reduce symptoms, build coping skills, and improve overall quality of life.
I am trained in Motivational Interviewing (MI) and use it to help veterans explore and resolve ambivalence around treatment, recovery, and life changes. I apply MI techniques such as open-ended questions, reflective listening, and affirmations to strengthen intrinsic motivation and support autonomy. In practice, I often integrate MI into evidence-based treatments like CPT or case management work, using it to build engagement, enhance readiness for change, and promote lasting progress.
I am trained in Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT) and use it to help veterans address the connection between life events, relationships, and emotional well-being. In practice, I focus on four key problem areas—grief, role transitions, interpersonal disputes, and social isolation—guiding clients to develop healthier communication and coping strategies. IPT allows me to support veterans in strengthening their support systems, improving relationship functioning, and reducing depressive and trauma-related symptoms.