Emily's Background & Journey to SafeTherapy
Emily's path to becoming a therapist began in her early twenties when she volunteered at a community
mental health center while completing her undergraduate degree in psychology. Witnessing the
transformative power of compassionate, skilled therapy ignited a passion that has only deepened over the
years.
After earning her master's degree, Emily spent five years working in a busy outpatient clinic, gaining
experience with a diverse range of clients and presenting concerns. She then transitioned to a
specialized anxiety and mood disorders center, where she honed her skills in CBT and mindfulness-based
interventions. During this time, Emily also completed extensive training in trauma-informed care,
recognizing that many clients carry wounds from past experiences that shape their present struggles.
In 2018, Emily founded SafeTherapy with a clear vision: to create a practice that feels warm, welcoming,
and modern, a place where people could access evidence-based care without the coldness or bureaucracy
that can sometimes characterize mental health services. She wanted a space that honored both the science
of psychology and the deeply human, relational aspects of healing.
Areas of Special Interest
While Emily works with a broad range of concerns, she has particular expertise and passion for
supporting:
- High-functioning anxiety: Individuals who appear successful on the outside but
struggle with chronic worry, perfectionism, and exhausting inner critical voices.
- Life transitions and identity: People navigating career changes, relationship
shifts, becoming parents, or questioning long-held beliefs about who they are and what they want
from life.
- Caregivers and empaths: Those who give so much to others that they lose touch with
their own needs, boundaries, and sense of self.
- Depression and low motivation: Helping clients reconnect with meaning, rediscover
activities they once enjoyed, and build behavioral momentum even when it feels impossible.
- Relationship patterns: Exploring how past experiences shape current relationship
dynamics, and developing healthier ways of connecting with partners, family, and friends.
Emily's Philosophy of Care
Emily's therapeutic approach is rooted in a few core beliefs. First, she sees therapy as a collaborative
partnership. "You are the expert on your own life," she often tells clients. "I'm here to offer tools,
perspectives, and support, but you're in the driver's seat." This collaborative stance means that goals
are set together, progress is reviewed regularly, and adjustments are made based on what's working for
each individual.
Second, Emily believes in the power of integrating evidence-based techniques with genuine human
connection. While she draws heavily on CBT and mindfulness-based approaches, both of which have robust
research support, she also honors the therapeutic relationship itself as a source of healing. Clients
often describe her style as warm, direct, and gently challenging in a way that feels supportive rather
than judgmental.
Third, Emily is committed to cultural humility and inclusivity. She recognizes that everyone comes to
therapy with unique backgrounds, identities, and experiences, and she strives to create a space where
all people, regardless of race, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, or socioeconomic
status, feel seen, respected, and valued.
Finally, Emily is a strong advocate for self-compassion. She often works with clients to soften their
harsh inner critics and develop a kinder, more forgiving relationship with themselves. "We all
struggle," she says. "The goal isn't perfection, it's progress, self-awareness, and the ability to treat
ourselves with the same kindness we'd offer a good friend."
