About Therapy

Therapy with me may be a little different from what you have experienced before. I take you on a journey deep into your inner world in order to access your own inner wisdom and heal.

 

Many of my sessions are conducted using altered states of consciousness, including depth hypnosis, shamanic journeying, or a meditation-like process called IFS (also known as "Parts Work".)

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Through these methods, you can learn to love yourself more deeply, become more conscious and self-aware, gain insight into deeply held patterns, and heal the wounds underlying the symptoms that are bringing you into therapy.

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The psychotherapy field is headed in a new direction. It's going deeper than talk therapy alone (even if the Midwest is lagging a bit behind on this!) That's why I like to do things a little differently. Discover my approach below. 

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Techniques I Use

  • Internal Family Systems: Get to know, love, heal, and integrate every part of yourself. **I am level 3 trained in this method. Read more here.

  • Depth Hypnosis: Experience a spiritual approach that works within your own personal belief system. Explore your inner world to connect to guidance and experience profound healing using an altered state of consciousness. This includes regressions and dream work. **I have studied Depth Hypnosis and it is a core part of my practice. Learn more here.

  • Shamanic Counseling: Learn how to tap into a source of guidance and the earth's wisdom to help you heal. **I have completed advanced studies in Applied Shamanism.

  • Mindfulness and Self-Compassion: Become more present, aware, relaxed, and loving towards your emotions. **I worked at a mindfulness center in Thailand for 18 months.

  • The Enneagram: Learn your main personality type, its strengths, its pitfalls, and heal your deepest wounds. **Learn more here.

  • TRE (Trauma/Tension Releasing Exercises): Literally "shake off" stress and tension. **I am a certified TRE provider. Learn more here.

The Deets on Online & In-Person Therapy

As it currently stands, I am offering clients a choice of online or in-person sessions. I am vaccinated and the chairs in my office are set 6 feet apart. In-person sessions take place on Monday through Wednesday. Thursday and Friday are online-only days.

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Online therapy will be conducted over a HIPAA-compliant video platform, similar to zoom. You can access the platform easily via computer, laptop, or smartphone.

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Some clients prefer only online sessions, only in-person sessions, or a hybrid of both. I do my best to accommodate your preferences. 

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**Updated September 2021 and subject to change

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My Approach

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EXPERIENTIAL
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​Go on a dynamic, visual, imaginative, and exciting trip through your inner world to heal your psyche

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MINDFUL
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I help you become more a more conscious human being, feel safe in your body, and enjoy life in the present moment

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TRAUMA-SENSITIVE

I’ve studied shock, developmental, and attachment trauma and the methods I use are helpful for healing it

04

TRANSPERSONAL
 
Experience yourself as a spiritual being inextricably connected with all of life, and connect to a sense of wonder, awe, and guidance

05

HOLISTIC​

Experience therapy as a way to harmonize your mind, body, emotions, and spirit

06

HUMANIZING
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I don’t define you by a diagnosis. I see you as a human first, and your symptoms as clues to   deeper pain that we work towards healing

Who I Love To Work With

I work with people who are excited to make a change by doing deep inner work that gets to the core of their issues while becoming a more conscious, mindful individual along the way. 

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Many of my clients relate to the following:

  • Have spiritual curiosity and a mystical side

  • Are highly sensitive and/or intuitive feeling types (think NF on the Meyers-Briggs test, like INFJ or INFP)

  • Have a strong desire and motivation to grow and heal

  • Want to connect to their inner light and love the parts of them that are suffering

  • See the obstacles they encounter in life as opportunities for growth

  • Value connecting to the natural world

  • Have perhaps already been to therapy or have done independent studying, journaling, meditation, or yoga on their own, and want something "more"

  • Are curious to try an experiential, holistic, and transpersonal approach to therapy

  • Are working to make the world a better place

  • Are entrepreneurs, business owners, creative, artistic, or are healers themselves

 

PSA: LGBTQ+ and people of diverse religious, ethnic, racial, and cultural backgrounds are welcomed and loved in my office!

What I Love To Help You Do

  • Incorporate spirituality into the healing process, whatever that means for you

  • Befriend your emotions and learn how to understand the messages they are sending you

  • Learn to love yourself, and use this loving presence to transform even your darkest parts into something beautiful

  • End the inner war and feel more at home inside your own mind

  • Heal from old trauma and become the person you want to be

  • Tap into your inner wisdom and use this to guide your healing process

  • Learn how to access guidance so you can become your own healer and move through life with more ease… both now, and long after therapy is over

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Many of My Clients Are Struggling With The Following Issues...

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ANXIETY & SELF-ESTEEM ISSUES
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Feeling worried, on edge, never able to relax, secretly insecure, or worried no one likes them

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TRAUMATIC PASTS
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Feeling unable to break free from past hurts and burdens and stuck in patterns that aren't serving them

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EMOTIONAL OVERWHELM
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Unsure how to stay centered and manage their emotions and may identify as "highly sensitive"

04

SPIRITUALLY SEEKING
 
Are spiritually curious and intuitively "know" that spirituality can be an integral part of their healing process, but aren't sure how to use it to heal just yet

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EXPLORING THEIR PATH

Unsure who they are and what they want to do with their lives. Wanting to get to know themselves better so they can choose a life path that feels rewarding to them

06

RELATIONSHIP ISSUES​
 
Craving deeper connections, but always chasing the wrong people, getting stuck in unhelpful patterns, or unable to create meaningful relationships

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TESTIMONIALS FOR WORKING WITH EMMA

“With Emma, you can go on a lovely trip inwards if you want to heal your inner world in a professional, safe, and personal setting and place. I think she’s a lovely person, she’s so supportive, creative and grounded, a great listener, knows what she’s doing and willing to help you the best she can.”

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-Past Client

TESTIMONIAL

“This review is for my experience with “Inner Harmony”, a six week course in IFS, as well as a private IFS session with Emma: Firstly, it seems to me that Emma clearly shares her practice from a place of personal results and healing. The tools and concepts that she shares are shared with an intimate understanding that tells me that she utilizes them regularly. Maybe more importantly, this tells me that she believes fully in what she is sharing.

 

Secondly, IFS as a practice seems to me to hold infinite healing/therapeutic potential. The framework that IFS provides to explore the mind is simple to navigate and, if one is willing, powerful to behold. I enjoy seeing the world through the lens of IFS on occasion.

 

Lastly, with the help of Emma, I am successfully navigating these challenging times of Covid-19. In this time, I have experienced doubts and fears and anxieties. Emma, through the lens of IFS, has assisted my process of healing some of the roots of these emotions so that I may live life with more clarity. Thank you, Emma.”

-SAMUEL WYANT

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the investment and time per session?

My session length is 65 minutes long. This is a little longer than many standard therapy sessions, but I find that this timeframe allows us enough time to do deeper work together so you can have an optimal experience. The rate for a 65-minute session for all clients is $150.



Do you accept health insurance?

Not exactly. Many of my clients choose not to use insurance for sessions because they prefer my alternative and transpersonal approach and/or they do not want a mental health diagnosis on their medical record. For those wanting to use insurance, I am an "Out of Network" therapist, meaning I do not work directly with insurance companies. Learn more about the benefits of OON therapy here: https://blog.zencare.co/reasons-to-see-out-of-network-therapist/ See the next question below for how to pursue OON benefits!



Do you offer sliding scale?

I do not. I have learned that, as a sensitive introvert, I can only see a certain number of clients per week in order to show up for my sessions with you with my self-care tank full, without burning myself out. However, I like to give back in other ways! I am a naturally creative introvert, and I've learned I can give back by writing articles and creating free meditations for people around the world to access (they've been played over 20,000 times!) https://insighttimer.com/coach-emma I also donate money to plant 1 tree for every session I have with you. Over 1,000 trees have been planted so far! Learn more here: https://www.alternativetherapystl.com/helping-the-planet



How frequently will we meet and how many months will I see you?

Most of my clients see me once per week or once every other week. A handful of people who have been meeting with me for a while will see me once a month, or as needed. I recommend committing to the process for at least 2-3 months. Meeting with me a couple of times will not be enough to do the deep work needed to help you make major shifts in your life. There are no quick fixes. Some of my clients see me short-term for about 3-4 months, while other prefer to do deeper work with me as their ongoing therapist for a year or two, or even longer. Length of therapy depends on your individual goals as well as the depth and complexity of the issues you're bringing. I aim to help you make as much progress as I can in the time you spend with me, but there are not short-cuts and we cannot rush healing. I find that those who get the most benefit out of therapy, and the most symptom relief, are committed to the path of self-inquiry and healing, wherever it leads, and without a specific timeline. Please discuss your expectations with me in our first session!



How do I use my "Out of Network" benefits?

I provide an “out of network” form (also called a superbill), which you may be able to use to get your insurance to cover all or part of your counseling services. This means you pay me out-of-pocket, and your insurance company reimburses you directly for what you have paid. This is dependent on your insurance plan and your willingness to submit your own documentation to the insurance company. This takes a little work on your part, but the benefits are: 1. you can choose a therapist you really resonate with 2. you aren’t limited only to specific therapists who take your insurance, who may not specialize in your issue, or use the methods you're seeking I recommend calling your insurance provider before beginning work with me if you want to use OON benefits to make sure they are available. Here are some questions you can ask your insurance provider: 1. Do I have mental health insurance benefits that allow for out-of-network services? 2. Do I have a deductible that must be met first before you pay for counseling? How much has been met? 3. How many mental health sessions per year does my health insurance cover? 4. Does my insurance require that I have pre-authorization prior to sessions with a therapist? (If so, please have that information before the first session). 5. Do I need a diagnosis to be reimbursed? Does this need to be on my superbill in order for it to qualify for reimbursement? If you want to learn more about OON, read this blog post here



What is the difference between a psychiatrist and a therapist?

Psychiatrists are medically trained doctors who specialize in prescribing medication for mental health illnesses. Most psychiatrists do not practice “talk therapy,” but rather monitor your response to medication. They tend to meet with their clients briefly and infrequently. I am a therapist, also known as a psychotherapist or counselor. A therapist has a graduate degree or higher. A therapist develops a therapeutic relationship with clients and typically meet with clients once every week or two for about an hour. Therapists take time to deeply understand clients and their struggles because they primarily help clients make improvements by working through talk, somatic, or experiential-based therapy with emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. Therapists do not prescribe medication, but may sometimes refer clients to psychiatrists for a medication evaluation if they believe clients could benefit from it.



What are your credentials?

I hold a LPC license in Missouri, which means “Licensed Professional Counselor.” I also hold an LCPC license in Illinois, which means "Licensed Clincial Professional Counselor." This means that I have completed a 2-3 year graduate degree in counseling which included an internship, I have taken my comprehensive exams, I have completed 3,000 hours of clinical work under supervision, and I have gone through the requirements to obtain state licensure. In both IL and MO, I am licensed to practice independently. I have also taken advanced level 3 training in Internal Family Systems and Tension Releasing Exercises, and am an IFS Therapist and TRE Provider. I also hold a certificate in Depth Hypnosis. You can verify my IFS credentials here (just search for my name!) https://ifs-institute.com/practitioners



What age ranges do you see? Do you see teens?

Almost all of my clients are in their 20s and 30s. If you are over 39 and my website calls to you, please feel free to reach out. I do not currently see minors under age 18. Working with children and teens is not a clinical speclalization of mine, and I would rather your child get the specialized help they need from a provider with extensive training and expertise in working with teens.



Are there any issues you CANNOT help with?

Yes! This is because I cannot possibly specialize in every area. Just like doctors, therapists specialize, too! For example, if you're having heart problems, you'd probably rather see a cardiac specialist than a dermatologist, right? The following list details symptoms that are best treated by other providers, either because I do not have specialized training in these areas, or because they require a higher level of care than private practice can provide. This list is not exhaustive. 1. Active addiction (especially to a substance) 2. Active eating disorders 3. Current domestic violence situations or current abuse 4. Personality disorders (such as BPD, HPD, and NPD) 5. Autism spectrum disorders 6. Schizophrenia 7. Clients in active crisis of any kind, such as suicidal intent, volatile relationships, or abuse If you know or believe you are struggling with one of these issues, there are plenty of providers who can help you who specialize in the area you need help with. I recommend going on a therapist directory like Psychology Today, Therapy Den, Zencare, or Good Therapy and filtering for people who work with your specific issue. Or, ask your doctor for a referral if you think you might need a higher level of care. Thanks for reading!