Hi, I’m Emily
Being a therapist is meaningful to me in the ways that I connect with clients, support them to feel secure and enable them to show up as the best version of themselves. I originally became a social worker and helped families and children through counseling, teaching parent education and providing resources as well as working at the state level to improve service coordination across state agencies for the most vulnerable children. I became a private practice therapist after giving birth to my identical twin daughters. Yes, you read that right…..Identical Twins! Through that experience, I learned so much about being a parent in America, specifically, the challenges parents face through pregnancy, birth, and the early years of parenting. I wanted to support other parents and acknowledge deeply universal experiences we all have - joy, struggle, sadness and anger.
My Style:
Clients have described me as a direct and supportive therapist. I also have a sense of humor that allows me to gently help clients work through all the complex experiences and emotions of parenthood. I value transparency, the human connection and autonomy. I don’t give advice. I honor your experiences and will challenge you to reach the goals you set for yourself.
My Bio:
Before starting my private practice, I was a social worker for 10 years gathering valuable experience in public schools, non profit organizations and state agencies. In other words, I know what it feels like to work with complex families facing big problems in a high paced environment, and also what it is like to work a desk job.
I studied at Trinity University in San Antonio for undergraduate and attended The University of Texas Steve Hicks School of Social Work for graduate school.
These days, life is dominated by work and my family. I grew up in Texas but have an adventurous heart and love to travel and try new things as often as I can.
My Therapeutic Methods:
When you are with me, I will use different therapeutic techniques to help you reach your goals. You may have heard of some of these, such as mindfulness, cognitive behavioral therapy and motivational interviewing. I also utilize a new and upcoming intervention called the NeuroAffective Relational Model®, also known as NARM®. NARM® offers a framework for post-traumatic growth by supporting increased resiliency, greater health outcomes, healthier relationships, personal growth and social change. NARM® is skillful for treating complex post traumatic stress disorder. For more detail on what NARM® is, click here.
The Big Picture:
While the therapeutic methods used are important, the most widely researched factor that contributes to successful psychotherapy is not actually the therapist or their style. It is the quality of the therapeutic alliance. The therapeutic alliance is the relationship between a client and their therapist, and a good one is when the client and therapist have trust and safety in their relationship.
Trust and safety are built over time by the client and the therapist throughout their work together. Here is what to look for in a trusting and safe therapeutic relationship:
• An agreement of the therapeutic goals by both the therapist and the client
• Mutual engagement in the process
• Mutual respect for one another
• The freedom to share negative emotional responses and repair after a conflict or difficulty
In other words, both parties need to know the “why”, both parties have to do the work, and both parties can express their feelings and resolve harm or conflict that occurred in session. In any relationship, there will be conflicts or difficulties, also called ruptures. What is important is the repair. This can be so important because often you can address old wounds through this experience.
Book an appointment with me and notice how you feel. Notice if I can hold space for you and if you feel like we could repair if a conflict were to arise. After a few appointments, if you don’t feel like we will have a good working relationship, we will terminate and I will refer you to another therapist.