Emily Oliver

LCSW

I am a trauma survivor, and I believe this has helped me to be critical in how I provide care, as I know how it feels to be on the other side of the therapeutic relationship. It has driven me to be an empowerment-focused therapist, and one who values the client as the expert of their experience. It also causes me to be more in-tune with what it feels like to apply the tools and receive the treatments I am providing to my clients. This allows me to provide more insightful feedback, and to be able to understand on a deeper level some of the barriers my client might face during treatment. I also feel that it has driven me to push the limits of my knowledge and skills in order to help others more efficiently, and has led me to a level of familiarity with the tools I provide so that each treatment plan feels truly personalized and flexible.

I would describe my personality as warm and welcoming, vibrant and feisty, while also being someone who has a grounding presence. My personality feels like another therapeutic tool in some ways, because I feel that I am able to provide real feedback to my clients that might be difficult to hear, while maintaining the tone of non-judgmental acceptance and caring that is so important in the therapy space. I also think that it meshes well with my empowerment-focused approach to recovery; it is very helpful to be able to meet the client where they are at, and guide them into a place where it feels we are working toward a goal together, as a team. The feisty energy comes into play when we are acknowledging that there are parts of this recovery process that are HARD, and as survivors we can pull that into the recovery process as a strength and resource. Finally, I think my authentic and spunky side can allow us to use humor, sarcasm, and sass in the therapeutic space, which can feel supportive and in-line with the client's unique healing process.

I would love for those who are hesitant to try therapy to know that therapists are people, too! Many of us do this work because we have had life experiences that have driven us to want to help others, and I know that I see so much value and strength in my clients, even when they struggle to see that in themselves. There is beauty in the "roughness" of our human imperfections, and it's when we can really allow someone to see that "roughness" that the "magic" of the therapeutic relationship can really be seen. I recall moments in therapy when we have laughed together until our sides ached, when we have each let a few tears fall after an incredible break-through, when the relationship with a client was built stronger after a miscommunication and being able to work through it. Being truly seen and heard by another human who has no other agenda than to help you work on what you need help with, and who gives you their full attention and holds space for you emotionally, is such an awesome thing!