Hi there, I'm Emily. I am passionate about helping women and men reconnect to their truest, most authentic selves after experiencing trauma, loss, stress and other life challenges that have left them feeling depleted, empty anxious, lacking direction or self-esteem. Often we know who we are truly are and what we are truly capable of at our core, but we have lost trust in ourselves and our ability to act in our own best interest. Together, we will explore the decisions, habits and behaviors that no longer serve you and work to replace these habits with new ones that align with our most authentic self and the life we want to lead. Let me help you discern what serves you and what needs to be updated, tweaked or let go of. Whether you are struggling with trauma reminders, addiction, relationship dysfunction, battered self-esteem, or cycles of depression and anxiety, I'm here to help. My clients describe me as highly intuitive, relational, flexible, and quite direct when I need to be. I don't believe in wasting your time by acting as a blank slate or empty chair. I will offer you active feedback, insight. I will help you create a road map to redirect you toward alignment with your goals and authenticity. I will help you reframe recurring themes and dynamics to increase your personal insight and support your personal growth.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
Clients can expect to leave our sessions feeling a little lighter, more connected, more seen, more validated. Our work together will empower you with more clarity about small steps you can take right away to get on the right path for you. Sometimes therapy can feel hard or scary as we approach issues related to old wounds or traumas that may have been avoided in the past. This is normal and is an important part of the recovery process. I believe that pacing is important, as is trust and rapport; therefore, we will take our time to safely and gradually work toward exploring these deeper issues that may be at the root of many of life's problems and difficulties. As we learn to address old hurts, we also need to layer in lots of self care and compassion in order to feel safe and stabilized.
What treatment methods and tools do you utilize?
My areas of passion and specialty are: developmental (childhood) trauma resolution using the framework of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE's), Somatic Psychology, Mindfulness, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. I utilize teachings and tools related to attachment theory, addiction recovery using 12-Step and Harm Reduction approaches; Alcoholic Family Systems/Co-dependency and Internal Family Systems. I am trained in Seeking Safety and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy for the treatment of self-harm, suicidal ideation, and other self-destructive traits related to Borderline Personality Disorder.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
My greatest strength is my stance of non-judgmental, compassionate regard for my clients' lived experiences, balanced with the right amount of self-ownership and accountability. I have my own lived experience- as well as clinical training and experience- with the inextricable link between addiction and unresolved trauma and/or unmet attachment needs. Once the connection is made between the wounds/trauma of yesterday and the addictive behaviors of today, healing can be intense and powerful. Before private practice, I worked in community-based mental health for years. I witnessed the struggle with mental illness, addiction, poverty, homelessness, domestic violence, and the unmet attachment needs of yesterday that preceded many of these socio-economic challenges some people experience today.
Describe the client(s) you are best positioned to serve.
Women in recovery from addiction, childhood abuse/trauma, and abusive relationships in adulthood.