Emily Stein-Frees, LCSW-C

Healing Work 

Therapy with me: My approach to therapy is warm, supportive and nonjudgmental. I will work  collaboratively with you to create a safe place where you feel heard, understood and comfortable being  your authentic self. Together, we will identify your goals, build on your strengths and develop practical  tools to help you find support and work towards those goals. 

My approach incorporates mindfulness based practices to help you develop greater awareness of your  thoughts, emotions, and patterns without judgment. By learning how to slow down, stay present and  connect more intentionally with your experiences, we can create a space for greater clarity, self  compassion and meaningful change.  

My impacting identifies/roles that inform my work: I spent the past 10 years working in the hospital  setting. This experience has given me a deep understanding of how families and individuals navigate  crisis, uncertainty and trauma. I have had the opportunity to work with people from diverse  backgrounds, ages, cultures and life circumstances. This experience has strengthened my ability to meet  each person with openness and respect for their unique perspective and circumstance. 

On a personal level, I am an avid gardener and love the outdoors. I believe there is something powerful  about slowing down, reconnecting with the present moment and finding grounding in the natural world.  I believe experiences, interests, hobbies and passions can help ground us when life feels overwhelming  and uncertain. To aid in your therapeutic journey, I will help you identify people, routines, interests and  experiences to help create a greater sense of calm, safety and sense of connectedness in your life. 

I feel informed and knowledgeable about: Medical trauma, coping with illness and chronic disease,  anxiety disorders, mood disorders, ADHD and neurodivergence, navigating life changes and complex  family dynamics.

I work best with clients who: Appreciate a sense of curiosity. I hope to help clients explore themselves  and their experiences to determine what is working and what is not. I feel approaching ourselves with  curiosity creates a space for greater self understanding, compassion and meaningful change. 

I am not a good clinical fit for clients who: Want a quick fix. Meaningful change can take time! 

What makes me unique: The warmth, humor and compassion I bring to the therapeutic relationship make me unique. I  believe the energy I bring into the therapy space helps clients feel comfortable, at ease, and truly  themselves. 

Learning and Growing

I am a lifelong learner! We are never too old to learn a new skill, hobby or develop a new insight into  ourselves! 

Fun Facts/Resilience Building 

I lived overseas for two years after college; first in a small village in Guyana and second on a small island  in the South Pacific-American Samoa. While in Guyana I had a pet pig! 

I’ve done a few meditation retreats involving a day of silence. You notice a lot when you cannot talk for  24 hours! 

Education 

Bachelors of Arts from University of Maryland 

Masters in Social Work From the University of Maryland 

Certifications/Trainings/What I’m Reading Currently 

Licensed Independent Social Worker in MD, DC and VA 

Prolonged Exposure for PTSD, UPENN Center for Treatment and Anxiety 

Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction, UMASS Medical School Center for Mindfulness Certificate in the Fundamentals of CBT, Beck Institute For Cognitive Behavior Therapy Certificate in the Fundamentals of Clinical Hypnosis, The American Society of Clinical Hypnosis 200 Hour Yoga Alliance Certification, Vida Fitness 

Yoga and Mindfulness for Children, Little Flower Yoga  

Reading lots of Fiction! Currently the Calamity Club