About Emma

After earning her masters degree in clinical social work from the School of Social Services Administration at the University of Chicago with a focus on mental health and disability in 2004, Emma has been a licensed and practicing social worker in Chicago and has a multi-faceted professional history that includes both administrative and clinical social work.

Emma began her work directing and managing various not-for-profit programs within Chicago's diverse mental health community - administrative experience that has deeply informed her work as a clinician and therapist. After earning her license in clinical social work (LCSW) in 2011, Emma became a practicing psychotherapist. Over the years, she has provided therapy to a multitude of individuals, couples, and families and has drawn on her extensive professional background, providing quality, evidence-based, psychotherapy to a diverse clientèle.

In 2020, Emma decided to expand her private practice to meet the increasing need for mental health services in her community, and Lake Park Counseling was created. Emma strives to work alongside therapists who are both academically saavy and aware of the demands of academia, as well as passionate about social justice, anti-racist work, and providing service to communities who have been historically under-resourced by the private mental health field. As a clinician and as a clinical supervisor, Emma also works hard to create a warm, supportive, and nurturing environment for both clients and therpists. She believes in work/life balance, as well as self-care so that LPC may provide the best care possible to our clients.

Emma has expertise working on a variety of issues including (but not limited to) depression, anxiety, high-pressure careers, academic stress, interpersonal relationships, stress-reduction, marital and pre-marital counseling, mood disorders, eating disorders, obsessive thinking, self harm, self-esteem, boundary issues, family conflict, family of origin issues (including abusive family systems), and working toward resolving past trauma. Emma also has special interest working with LGBTQ and gender non-conforming individuals, as well as clients living with chronic medical conditions and their families and caregivers. Emma provides an affirming and safe LGBTQ / Gender Non-Conforming space.

Emma typically utilizes a mix of psychodynamic and cognitive behavioral therapies to assess current issues and concerns, to identify root causes of presenting problems, and to work together to change and/or resolve negative patterns or behaviors.

Education, Memberships, More

  • University of Chicago, A. M., School of Social Services Administration, class of 2004

  • University of Chicago, A. B., English Literature, class of 1999

  • Member of the National Association of Social Workers

  • Completed additional trainings in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy

  • See Interview on the effects of COVID on our mental health with WBEZ's Patrick Smith (Chicago's NPR Station).

  • See Interview on Ways to Protect your Relationship during COVID with WBEZ's Patrick Smith (Chicago's NPR Station).