Rooted in Psychology. Open to Possibility.
What happens after life turns itself upside down? This is the question that we are challenged to answer when what we fear the most happens. How you answer this question is unique to you.
What I’ve discovered, as a grief and trauma therapist, is that the human spirit - especially in its most vulnerable state - holds transformative wisdom. It has been, and continues to be, my sacred privilege to witness this firsthand.
Welcome. I’m Emily.
There's a quote by Samuel Decker Thompson that really resonates with me: “We are all just a car crash, a diagnosis, an unexpected phone call, a newfound love, or a broken heart away from becoming a completely different person."
There have been times, like this, that changed me in ways that I could never have predicted. And while I’ve experienced difficulties and losses over the course of my life, there are two that challenged everything that I thought I knew (both personally and professionally) - my daughter’s brain injury and my son’s death.
These traumatic losses were catalysts for a deeply painful period of questioning and deconstruction - akin to what St John of the Cross referred to as the “dark night of the soul”.
When people talk about having thoughts they dare not voice, feeling disconnected from others, experiencing emotions that overwhelm them, watching themselves become someone they no longer recognize, or grappling with unanswerable questions and layers of uncertainty, I understand.
Today, I approach therapy more humbly and holistically. Experience has taught me that deep grief and recovery from pervasive trauma may require more than traditional talk therapy alone. So… while I remain grounded in science and evidence-based practices, I’ve come to appreciate the clarity that can come from many wellness and spiritual practices.
qualifications
Formal Education. MA, Psychology (Chapman University)
Training and Experience. Over the course of my career, I’ve gained experience across a variety of settings (community mental health, school-based programs, agencies, and private practice), providing therapy services to individuals, couples, and families. And, I have training and clinical experience using many therapy modalities. As a holistic therapist, I am comfortable blending different therapy techniques to meet your individual needs, including, but not limited to:
Applied Behavior Analysis *
Attachment-Based Therapy
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT),
Depth | Jungian Psychology
Grief Counseling *
Mindfulness
Narrative Therapy,
Parts Work | Ego-State Theory,
Polyvagal Theory,
Schema Therapy, and
Couple and Family Systems (Gottman, Emotionally-Focused Therapy, Solution-Focused, Bowenian, Structural, etc.)
* Certified. Certification requires more advanced training and consultation.
a little more about me
Outside of the therapy room, I value the simple joys. I share my life with my spouse, daughter, and our two golden retrievers (who are the sweetest daily reminders of attunement, play, and unconditional connection).
While I enjoy traveling, I’m naturally introverted and also love spending time at home with my dogs, baking bread, swimming, gardening, diving into good book, or listening to an interesting podcast.
I also enjoy finding and repurposing found treasures, believing that what has been discarded often still carries beauty, story, and potential - much like parts of ourselves that are waiting to be seen differently.
Unexpected or painful experiences can alter your life in profound ways.
Your path is unique to you, as are your life lessons. My goal is to create a space where resilience blooms and your internal wisdom shines brightly, illuminating the path ahead.
You don’t have to go through it alone. I would be honored to accompany you - however brief - on your unique journey through the matrix of life as you create healing.