Emily Claire Roberts LMHC

My all-time favorite book is "The Five People You Meet in Heaven," by Mitch Albom. I first read this book when I was in middle school and I remember feeling connected to the characters and being unable to put it down. It is interesting that as an adult I am a grief counselor and can't help to think my early exposure to the concept of death influenced this path. Something so seemingly small had a significant impact on me, which is very much the point of the book. Everyday I am reminded that showing up as myself, for my clients or anyone else, is the most important job I can do. I may never see the lasting results of my influence, however I choose to be as compassionate, genuine, and human as I can be.

My great-grandmother always said, "everything in moderation." My primary treatment modality is Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and the primary goal of this is Psychological Flexibility, or being able to roll with whatever life hands you. Too much, or too little, of anything can offset this balance and I help clients build awareness of the "workability" or helpfulness of their actions and coping strategies. My background in yoga heavily influences my personal and professional work and I live by principles of finding balance, non-judgment and compassion for ourselves and others, and connecting to the present moment as often as possible.

I refer to my niche as helping others going through "life stuff," such as the growing pains of becoming an adult, significant events like deaths or divorce, or making sense of learned and developed patterns from childhood. Although all of these experiences have their specific challenges, I always witness clients learn something about their inner resilience and wisdom. I often hear "I couldn't have done this without you/before therapy/if this hadn't happened...etc," however I take that with a grain of salt. Therapy or life events can speed up this process, however if someone is willing to face discomfort and make effective changes, anyone is capable of tapping into this personal strength and I am here to facilitate and witness this.

• Florida, Licensed Mental Health Counselor, MH23447
• Indiana, Licensed Mental Health Counselor, 39003634A

I have worked as a mental health therapist since 2017 and yoga instructor since 2012 in various settings including schools, universities, hospitals, workshops, wellness retreats, and private practice. I am particularly invested in working with people experiencing grief, loss, or change and began this work while volunteering in college facilitating grief groups for 3-9 year olds. I define grief as a reaction to the loss of something valued or loved by an individual, such as a person, a place, a time, a job, an experience, etc. This experience is universal and it is part of my role as a therapist to educate, support, and normalize the varied reactions and impacts it can have on a person or group. I often tell my client's "how very human of you," and this applies to all my work with individuals addressing anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship issues, stress, identity and cultural concerns, as well as grief. Although I have provided family, couples, and group support in the past to folks of all ages, I currently work individually with adults due to working in a virtual setting.