About
Hi, I’m Emma. I’m so happy you’re here.
I specialize in working with young professionals who come from chaotic or neglectful childhoods. My clients often appear to have it all figured out- they are successful in their careers, have achieved many personal and societal milestones, and are smart and capable problem solvers. Despite this, they find themselves failing in relationships, terrified of the perceptions and judgements of others, struggling with emotional intimacy, burnt out, and uninspired. They may often feel lost or empty, despite having achieved so much.
Often, at the core of these concerns are unresolved wounds or enduring narratives from early in life. During our most important and vulnerable developmental years, we adopt lasting beliefs about ourselves and the world. Our experiences in early life construct a blueprint that we carry with us for the rest of our lives. It dictates how we show up in relationships, our capacity for emotional intimacy and connection, and how we deal with stress. Often, we are unaware of the lasting impact these experiences have had on us. The narratives we inherit from our childhood- whether they come from caregivers, family members, or the larger environment we grew up in- often become deeply ingrained and unconscious. These early messages can shape how we view ourselves, how we relate to others, and how we approach the world. While many of these narratives might have served a purpose early in life, they can become counterproductive or even harmful as we enter adulthood. These deeply rooted stories can hinder our ability to live fulfilling, healthy lives, creating invisible barriers to emotional well-being and connection. Putting thoughts to words in a safe space allows these messages to come to surface where they can be metabolized and rewritten.
We may work well together if you are curious about the why. You are interested in getting to the root of the problem and aren’t interested in a temporary, quick fix. You want to be understood and understand yourself more deeply. You don’t want be viewed as a problem to be fixed or have coping skills thrown at you without getting into the meat of the issue. If you work with me, the goal of treatment is always to feel more alive, more connected, and have more agency over your thoughts and feelings and what you choose to do about them. Counseling of this nature can help you know yourself more completely and be a catalyst for deep, sustained change- not just temporary symptom relief. Successful therapeutic work can look like an ability to embrace a wide spectrum of emotions without judgement and to more successfully manage the inherent and inevitable pain of human life.
I have a deep reverence for the therapeutic process and have first hand experience with the transformation that can occur through uninhibited talking with a safe and supportive other. I became a therapist because I loved going to therapy and because it works. Outside of my role as a therapist, I am an avid reader, animal lover, and yogi. I received a BS in Mass Communications from Virginia Commonwealth University and a MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Lenoir-Rhyne University. I have worked in various settings in the mental health field including transition housing, intensive in-home services, substance use and eating disorder intensive outpatient, and private practice. I am a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associate in the state of North Carolina, and I am working under the supervision of Lara Doerrer. I am committed to my own therapeutic work, and I continue to receive regular training and education focused on psychodynamic thinking and practice.