Individual counseling

At certain moments in life, we may find ourselves feeling utterly lost or directionless. Sometimes we are acutely aware of our problems, while at other times, we only have a vague sense of something being ‘off.’ Individual counseling can aid in clarifying current situations and foster new thought patterns to understand oneself and relationships with others. By identifying obstacles that impede progress, you can learn to make better choices, step by step towards your goals, turning aspirations into reality, and discovering a heightened sense of peace in everyday life.

In my practice, I assist clients with a range of issues including depression, anxiety, significant life transitions, executive job stress, affairs, marital or intimate relationship discord, divorce, grief and loss, coping with terminal illness, midlife crises, finding life’s direction, and repairing relationships with adult children, among others.

Studies indicate that the key to a successful therapeutic outcome is fundamentally the relationship established with your therapist, often characterized by the experience of being deeply understood or “feeling felt.”

Many people wonder what therapy feels like. I view the first session as an opportunity to get to know you and for you to experience working with me. Studies indicate that the key to a successful therapeutic outcome is fundamentally the relationship established with your therapist, often characterized by the experience of being deeply understood or “feeling felt.”, more important than the therapist’s training, their therapeutic approach, or the nature of the client’s issues.

As the film ‘Inside Out’ suggests, our emotions form the core of our brains—understanding them can enhance our lives. While I integrate various scientific counseling methods in my work, I focus more on the ‘here and now.’ This means discussing not only what happens in your life each week but also what transpires between us in the counseling room. We will explore your past, family background, and upbringing to uncover motivations and feelings outside your awareness, but I don’t believe spending extensive time discussing the past is the most effective way of counseling. Instead, I adopt creative and practical approaches to help you experience and understand yourself, identifying what drives and hinders you, and finding more suitable ways for change. Our focus is not on ‘analyzing you,’ but on helping to silence the ‘noise’ that obstructs your change and progress, enabling you to concentrate your energies on meaningful, productive, and fulfilling aspects of life.

Emily’s approaches: 

DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy): has been around since the 1970s when it was created by an American psychologist. DBT is an evidence-based therapy. That means there’s proof that it can help improve many different mental health conditions and your general quality of life.

If you struggle to manage your emotions or control unhealthy or harmful behaviors, DBT could be a good choice for you. You’ll learn new problem-solving and coping skills.