About Me

Welcome. I'm Emma (she/her/hers). I’m a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in California, Washington, and Oregon. I live in the San Francisco Bay Area (CA). I am also a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner. I work exclusively via telehealth and provide trauma-informed, neurodivergent affirming, somatic psychotherapy, to teens and adults who are present in California, Washington, and Oregon.

My passion is supporting neurodivergent folks and LGBTQIA+ folks in healing from trauma.

I came to this work through my own healing journey. As a queer teenager who was coming out and struggling with my mental health, I received support from a queer therapist and youth leader at a local LGBTQIA+ community center. This was my first experience with therapy and it had a profound impact on me.

I have always been different and have never really fit in. I was homeschooled and figured out that I was queer as a young teen. I have always been drawn to others who were different and many of the people that I love are neurodivergent. As a young adult exploring career options I dreamed of becoming an Occupational Therapist. Eventually this led me to where I am today, working with queer, neurodivergent folks, providing trauma-informed psychotherapy. I use a "bottom-up" approach to therapy, which focuses on regulating the nervous system/body while processing emotions. I also recently added EMDR to my practice!

I know first hand the impact that receiving support from someone with lived experience can have. I feel honored to be able to offer that support to the folks that I work with.

I am a parent and spouse. I have a sweet rescue dog. I am an animal lover and vanagon enthusiast. My special interest (my life!) is full of fiber arts. I enjoy spinning fiber, working with colors, and creating weavings on a giant floor loom. I identify as part of a community of people who are "still COVIDing". I continue to take precautions such as masking indoors in public spaces in order to prioritize the health and safety of my family and others around me. I also have lived experience as someone who is living with and managing an energy limiting illness and disability. I really enjoy working with other folks who are struggling with chronic illness, as many of us are in the LGBTQ+, neurodivergent communities. I find myself most grounded when I am outdoors, spending time with my child and connecting with animals. I find engaging in art, music, humor, and movement to be incredibly regulating and healing. I incorporate all of these elements into my therapeutic work. One of my favorite parts about my work is learning about the Special Interests of the folks that I work with.

I have lived experience as someone who is neurodivergent and identifies as an ADHDer.

I know firsthand the benefits of somatic therapy and am excited to support you on your own healing journey.

My Practice Values

Photo of a smiling person wearing a pink and white shirt and large earrings. Background is blurred.

My practice is kink and poly informed, neurodivergent affirming, LGBTQIA+ affirming, anti-racist, and anti-ableist.

I am aware that I hold privilege as a white, middle-class, cis-woman in a position of power and authority and that the therapeutic relationship is inherently unbalanced. I am committed to dismantling white supremacy and addressing its presence in the therapeutic relationship.

I acknowledge that my practice takes place on the stolen land of the Ohlone people.

I offer sliding scale services to BIPOC, queer, trans and disabled folks in need, to increase access to mental health services. If I am not able to meet your financial need I am happy to provide you with low-fee referrals. Please view my fees and insurance page for additional information about the cost of services and insurance companies that I am currently in network with. I take some insurance in California, Washington, and Oregon, through Headway. My sliding scale is between $70<$200 (full-fee).

Who I Work With

Teens and adults who are part of the LGBTQIA+ community. Support may include exploring gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, internalized homophobia/transphobia, issues around coming out and relationships/dating issues.

Teens and adults who are struggling with symptoms of anxiety, depression, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Support may include processing stressors, exploring relational patterns, developing coping strategies and utilizing somatic experiencing techniques to increase nervous system regulation.

Teens and adults who are neurodivergent. Many of the adults I work with are learning they are neurodivergent in adulthood. Areas of support that I offer may include reducing masking, exploring and embracing a neurodivergent identity, exploring internalized ableism and support with managing meltdowns. I also provide abbreviated autism assessments for existing clients utilizing the MIGDAS-2 and SRS-2. The assessment process is collaborative and your results will be incorporated into our therapeutic work together.

Teens and adults who have experienced traumatic events such as car accidents, falls and other injuries. Additionally, I work with childhood abuse and developmental trauma (such as emotional neglect). Support may include the use of somatic experiencing techniques to process trauma. It may also include the use of EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), for trauma resolution.

Folks who identify as part of the "Still-Coviding" community. Support may focus on the emotional toll that continuing to take precautions in a society that has largely "moved on" has on a person's mental health and interpersonal relationships. Other topics that we may discuss are navigating risk mitigation in interpersonal relationships and finding affirming community supports.

Folks who are living with disabilities, including chronic illness and energy limiting illnesses. I have lived experience as someone who is living with an energy limiting illness and who has experienced disability.

I am also beginning to work with couples (especially queer, neurodivergent folks!) and have completed Level 1 Training in Gottman Method Couples Therapy. I use Gottman Method Couples Therapy in my work.