My name is Ema (she/her), and I want the experience of therapy to feel like a warm hug where the client feels heard and understood through their discomfort. I don't pretend to be an expert on anyone else, I'm just here to add a little more context to someone's knowledge of themselves. I work from the perspective that we cannot change most of the things impacting the wellbeing of individuals, so our goal is to work within those confines to reduce some of the burden. Outside of work I am a parent of young kids who enjoy dabbling in hobbies. I am a big proponent of having several self-care options, so it stays fun and less like a chore. I grew up around the disabled community and turned that experience into a career that I love, getting to work with others to build joy into their lives.
I am less of a big change focused therapist and more focused on small adjustments. That doesn't mean that things won't change for the client, hopefully for the better, but I am less inclined to give homework and set tasks unless directly asked for this approach. I find that this approach can help the populations I work with direct the speed that feels best for them and lets me meet them where they are at. I work with people in pregnancy, new parents, young kids, parents of young kids, ADHD, on the autism spectrum, physical and/or developmental disabilities, chronic health conditions, aging, and the caregivers and loved ones of anyone in these groups. I am an LGTBQIA+ friendly and sex positive provider (which is different than a sex therapist, which I am not) and am open to patients brining in discussions about sex, interpersonal conflict, politics, etc. as I know that these things can have a huge impact on their overall wellbeing.
Ireceived my bachelor’s at Portland State University and my master’s in socialwork through Indiana University-Perdue University, Indianapolis's onlineprogram, which was a wonderful way to learn about different needs across thecountry from the comfort of my home in Portland. I am trained in CBT for anxiety, DBT, and IPT(interpersonal therapy) and enjoy how these modalities can come together. I have also led a Living Well With ChronicConditions group and a DBT skills group as well as helping with a parentingskills group.
