Emily Young, LCSW-C

HEALING WORK

Therapy with me: I believe that the therapeutic relationship is the most important part of therapy. When working with me you will find a collaborative and down to earth space that prioritizes building safety and rapport within the therapeutic relationship while acknowledging the ways in which systemic factors impact mental health. Many people starting therapy for the first time may expect to be told what is the right approach/pace/skill/solution for them. My primary goal is to help my clients hone their own insight around what does and does not work for them.

My impacting identities/roles that inform my work: I am a therapist with identities that hold a great deal of privilege in this world. I am a white, cis-gender, heterosexual, able-bodied, mid size-bodied female. I check just about every privilege box and that naturally impacts my identity and work as a therapist. I am also a therapist whose experiences have increased my understanding for clients experiencing trauma, grief, and mental illness.

I work best with clients who: 

• Are 13 y/o and older
• Identify as having experienced trauma and/or traumatic loss
• Have not had positive experiences with therapists in the past
• Have a history of suicidal ideation and/or self-harm
  

I am not a good clinical fit for clients who:

• are under the age of 13
• are seeking treatment for present or past substance abuse 
• are seeking treatment for present or past eating disorders 
• are seeking treatment for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

What makes me unique: Outside of my therapy role, I am also a Trauma-Informed Personal Trainer (TIPT). Being a TIPT greatly impacts the way I conceptualize trauma and how I work with my clients. I work with clients from a “bottom-up” approach, which means that I prioritize movement and somatic interventions in my work and initially focus on the ways in which trauma, grief, and mental illness are stored in the body before progressing to cognitive work.  

LEARNING AND GROWING

Currently I am continuing my learning and growth in the areas of somatic interventions, parts work for dissociation, polyvagal theory, anti-racism, and decolonizing my therapy practice. I am learning from the work of Janina Fisher, Resmaa Menakem, Jennifer Mullan, Ibram Kendi, and Deb Dana.

FUN FACTS/RESILIENCE BUILDING

Prioritizing rest and a sustainable work/life balance has been a big part of decolonizing my work. My life outside of therapy and my personal boundaries make it possible for me to sustain and enjoy this work. My practice of “re-charging” includes movement, outdoor time with my cattle dog Murphy, quality time with the important people in my life, and cooking/baking.

EDUCATION

B.S University of Maryland College Park

MSW University of Maryland Baltimore

Certifications/Trainings

• Certified Clinical Trauma Professional, Level 1
• Complicated Grief Therapy
• Trauma-Informed Personal Training, Co-Creator, Trainer/Consultant
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
• Dialectical Behavioral Therapy

What I’m Currently Reading…

Stamped From the Beginning by Ibram Kendi and Fitness for Every Body by Meg Boggs