Today we’d like to introduce you to Emily Lewis.
Hi Emily, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I knew from a decently young age that helping people a major priority for my professional career. I had found myself operating in a mediator role in several different relationships in my life, so the thought of counseling as a profession entered the equation early on. Though I originally assumed I would need a Doctorate degree to practice, I was soon assured that a master’s degree was sufficient — which felt much more manageable. My journey officially began when I completed my Undergraduate degree at Howard Payne University with a major in Family Studies and Psychology. I earned my master’s degree from Liberty University in Marriage and Family Therapy a few years later.
I completed both my practicum and intern hours at a private practice in Fort Worth, TX. During this almost five-year period, I grew as a clinician and expanded my clientele demographic. I initially began working predominantly with high-risk teens. In the mental health field, ‘High-Risk’ means that someone struggles with self-harming and/or suicidal ideation. The practice I was a part of offered numerous intensive services such as group therapy in addition to individual therapy. I learned so much during this time and really enjoyed the challenge of working almost exclusively with teens — they can give you a run for your money! Gradually, I began working with other demographics including young children (with whom I practice Child Centered Play Therapy), college age, and young professionals. Particularly with my college-age and young [professional clients, I was refreshed to work with people who were seeking support of their own volition and not just because a parent was forcing them!
Towards the end of 2020, I started exploring pathways to branch out and start my own private practice. This ultimately came to fruition in April of 2021, and what an exciting journey it has been ever since!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
How are we defining ‘smooth road’?!? I’m kidding. It definitely has been a journey!
I graduated with my undergraduate degree in 2012 and wasn’t in a position to move straight into grad school at that time, so I had to wait a few years and launch into my master’s program in 2015. Truthfully, I believe this gap in time helped me continue to grow as an individual before jumping into this profession. It gave me experiences in other areas of life that further equipped me for the work I do today. Some of this time was spent working with Child Protective Services and as a nanny. Both of these opportunities have provided me additional insight into interacting with both children, adolescents, and parents in unique settings that are beneficial to my practice today.
Deciding to venture out on my own and open a private practice required a lot of preparation, problem solving, and advocating for/with myself. There are a lot of moving pieces to consider, research to do, and ethical guidelines to follow. Of course, I must also be ever mindful of what I can do to most effectively serve my clients for the long haul!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
I operate a private counseling practice where I offer both individual and couples therapy. I have experience working with children as young as 2 years old, adolescents, college age, and ‘professional’ adults. I am trained in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and am completing my coursework to become a Certified Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinical Specialist (ASDCS). DBT provides clients with tools to increase their mindfulness of emotions and experiences in order to interact with them more effectively – ultimately to have more control over the emotion than the emotion has over you. My ASDCS certification will allow me to expand my offerings in working with individuals on the spectrum which is a passion of mine. I enjoy providing those with moderate to higher functioning Autism with a listening ear and skills to navigate society and their own circumstances. I am also pursuing certification as an Advanced Grief Counseling Specialist because I believe walking through someone’s grief experience with them is a truly unique privilege. I chose this certification because I specifically want to spend more time learning how to support individuals in this journey more effectively. Conveniently, I offer virtual sessions as needed or preferred by clients.
Unlike a majority of therapists in our area, I truly enjoy working with a variety of client demographics. My experiences create flexibility in the clientele base I am able to serve. When working with young children and adolescents, I find that parent involvement is pivotal to the process. Because of this, I will dedicate session time (and even full sessions) to processing with and coaching parents on what their children and I are working through in our time together. Adolescents can require a bit more rapport building as we build trust in our relationship, and that is a challenge I always enjoy! College age individuals and young professionals are dealing with so many varying factors in their lives and transitions can be so overwhelming. My goal is to provide them with the sounding board they might not have elsewhere to validate those emotions and experiences while working to navigate them effectively.
Like I said, I work with a variety of populations! I personally don’t see this as a setback because I am eager to provide well-rounded services to the clients I serve!
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
Oh wow, there are so many people who have contributed to helping me get where I am today! All of the friends and family members who have stood by my side for the long haul with both my academic education, professional development, and process of opening my own practice. I have had so many people champion me over the years. So many of the therapists at my first practice provided me with words of wisdom, coaching, encouragement, and growing opportunities that I will always be grateful for.
A special ‘thank you’ for sure goes out to my first counselor who showed up with me during a really pivotal time in my life, truly made me feel seen and heard, and emphatically confirmed for me that I wanted to spend my life offering others what she had given me in that space!
And, last but certainly not least, to every client who has walked and will walk through my door and entrusts themselves and their story into my care — it is an honor and not one I take lightly. It is a privilege to share space with you.
Pricing:
- $135 per 45-50 minute session
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.emilylewis.co/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emilymlewiscounseling/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/emilymlewiscounseling/
