Emma Johnson

The moment I knew I was interested in pursuing a career in therapy was when I visited a medium-level security correctional facility and was given the opportunity to immerse myself in the illustrative stories of six inmates and the reasoning for their incarceration. Upon my return home, my family noted an evident change in my presence observing an increase in my empathy and motivation to help people such as those I had spent the day with. Hearing the tragic history detailed by these men led to an awareness around the patterns and impact one’s family of origin may have on our lives and experiences. These realizations paired with my education are what ultimately led to my interest in a collective approach to therapy.

As a Marriage and Family therapist, my focus is on treating the whole system opposed to only part of the unit. My education and experiences have focused on populations including couples, families, and individuals. The areas that I specialize in are substance use, eating disorders, marital distress, mental health diagnoses, behavioral health diagnoses, and trauma.

I am a certified addiction specialist (CAS) and have been working in the substance use field for over three years in residential settings with both adolescent and adult populations. I have also worked with eating disorders and coexisting mental and behavioral health issues in partial hospitalization programs for a collective two and a half years. My understanding of substance use, eating disorders, and mental and behavioral health disorders for a variety of ages has made trauma a central focus of my work.

Asking for help is immensely challenging, it requires extensive vulnerability and risk-taking. Trusting a stranger with your story takes tremendous courage as it is oftentimes frightening and uncomfortable. Whether you are asking initial questions, scheduling an appointment, or attending your sessions you will be greeted with empathy and support for whatever it is you are facing. Taking the first step is not easy, and I want to assure you that regardless of where you are in your journey, you are not alone. It is my goal to create an environment in which client(s) feel comfortable being vulnerable and furthermore, want to heal.