Who I Am
Hello, I am Emily (she/her/hers). I am glad you found me!
I am a licensed mental health counselor (LMHC) with a Master of Science in Co-occurring Disorder Recovery Counseling from Metropolitan State University, St. Paul, MN. I am a Mental Health Professional (MHP) qualified to assess and diagnose a mental health condition. I am currently working on completing licensing requirements for Substance Use Disorder Professional (SUDP). In addition, I am licensed in the State of Minnesota as an Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC).
I have experience working in outpatient and residential co-occurring settings providing both group and individual therapy services. I have worked with clients with a wide range of concerns including addiction, PTSD, depression, anxiety, self-worth/esteem issues, women’s issues, domestic violence, and chronic health. I have an integrative perspective toward the development of a therapy that goes beyond one single–school approach. I am trauma-informed and trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Mindfulness, Compassion-Focused Therapy, and Seeking Safety.
I am also a participating member of the Family Advocacy Outreach Network (FAON), a program of the Family Advocacy Division of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children®.
Therapeutic Approach
Since the work of Freud, therapists have been attempting to discover the “best” way to bring about personality change. For myself, I have an integrative perspective toward the development of therapy that goes beyond one single –school approach. I believe there is no one theory that is comprehensive enough to account for human behavior, especially when there is a wide range of clients with specific individual issues and needs. It would be convenient if a “one size fits all” treatment was possible, however, culturally it is not. I recognize the contributions of biological, psychodynamic, multi-cultural systems, and cognitive-behavioral theories have offered to my practice.
I consider the therapeutic relationship to be a high priority. An individual needs to feel the therapist is trustworthy and the environment is a safe place to disclose difficult issues. Without a relationship of trust and communication between the client and therapist, there can be no effective therapy. I believe in treating everyone with compassion, respect, and empathy while offering a safe space for individuals to process their past, present, and future.
I am not a therapist that uses clinical jargon or cliche therapy lines. I aim to be authentic, approachable, and collaborative in my work. Swear words, laughter, and tears are all welcome in this space.
My background
I grew up in Minnesota and relocated to Washington in 2020 to be near my daughter, son-in-law, and grandchildren. I worked in various fields of employment, mostly business-oriented. Having worked in the business field for several years, I found myself unsatisfied with the corporate world. Therefore, when my daughter graduated from college in 2008, it was time to return to college to finish my bachelor’s degree and then my master’s degree. It has been my belief for many years that I have been called to work with those challenged with addiction and/or mental health concerns. Because of my own experiences in life, I believe it gives me the added benefit of understanding people while being compassionate to their needs.