Welcome! I’m so glad you’re here. Taking the step to seek support takes courage, and I’m honored to be a part of your journey. Life can feel overwhelming at times, whether you’re navigating childhood, adolescence, or adulthood. My goal as a therapist is to create a safe, supportive space where you can feel heard, empowered, and equipped to make meaningful changes.

My experience includes providing therapy in both school-based and community settings, working closely with children, teens, and young adults. I approach therapy from a client-centered and strengths-based perspective, which means I look beyond the immediate concern to understand the whole person. I have worked with individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, emotional and behavioral challenges, body image concerns, learning differences, and difficulties in relationships.

My work with children is grounded in play therapy and Gestalt therapy for children and adolescents (often referred to as the Oaklander Model). I use play, creativity, and experiential techniques to help children express themselves, build emotional awareness, and develop healthy coping skills, especially when words feel hard to find. I view behavior as communication and focus on supporting children in feeling more connected to themselves and others. I am also EMDR trained, including EMDR with children, and integrate EMDR into my work when appropriate. EMDR can be a powerful approach for processing trauma, anxiety, and distressing life experiences in a way that feels contained and empowering. With younger clients, EMDR is adapted to be developmentally appropriate, flexible, and often playful, while still honoring each child’s unique pace and needs.

In addition to these approaches, I draw from evidence-based modalities such as CBT, DBT, ERP, Family Systems, and Solution-Focused therapy, tailoring each session to best support the client in front of me. I strive to help clients develop a deeper understanding of themselves, strengthen coping skills, and build healthier relationships. I believe in your capacity for growth and healing, and I look forward to beginning our work together.

Emily works with children (7 years old and up), Teens, Young Adults, and Women. Emily specializes in working with clients navigating Anxiety, Depression, Trauma, OCD, ADHD, Divorce, Life Transitions, School Refusal/ Stress, Family or Peer Conflict, and Relationship Issues.

Emily has completed EMDR Basic Training through the Trauma Institute and Child Trauma Institute. She is also trained in DBT Skills for Adolescents and Families, CBT, ERP, and Adolescent Suicide Risk Assessment. 

Emily received her Masters Degree in Clinical Psychology with an Emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy from Pepperdine University.

Emily is available to take clients virtually anywhere in CA or in-person in our Santa Monica, Beverly Hills or Redondo Beach offices.

The most rewarding part of being a therapist for me is…

The most rewarding part of being a therapist for me is hearing about the “wins” of my clients. Those moments when a concept we explored, a skill we practiced, or a shift in perspective truly resonates and empowers them to make positive changes outside our sessions. I love celebrating these achievements and deepening our therapist-client relationship. Seeing clients move towards their goals, reclaim their sense of self, and develop greater resilience is a gift and a powerful reminder of why I chose this path.

What’s a lesson you’ve learned in therapy that you’ve also applied to your own life?

A lesson I have learned in therapy that I also apply to my own life is that everyone can benefit from therapy. There is no problem too big or too small that should prevent someone from seeking the support that they need. This understanding has encouraged me to prioritize my own mental well-being and to seek support when needed, recognizing that it's a sign of strength, not weakness, to invest in myself in this way.