Emily Berry (they/them)

Narrative 

The basis of my work with clients is through narrative therapy. Therapy is a profound opportunity to explore the ways we have made meaning of experiences in our lives, how we relate to our emotions, and the beliefs and ideas we've internalized from various sources outside ourselves. These things deeply impact our experience of ourselves and relationships, often unconsciously. Therapy is a space to build awareness and transform our narratives to support a truly authentic, values-driven life.

Attachment Theory

I believe deeply in the power of human connection and how it shapes us. Our earliest significant relationships heavily influence how we learn to see ourselves and relate to others and the world. These dynamics evolve over our adult lives. It can be tremendously helpful to look at these histories and patterns to learn about ourselves and make change from a deeper place of self-understanding.

Feminist

When we reflect on our feelings and experiences, it is important to acknowledge the various systemic and societal influences at play. Over our lifetime, we naturally internalize messages from our culture that ultimately inform our beliefs about ourselves in the world. Feminist therapy focuses on understanding this in order to help us move beyond limiting beliefs and live a truly authentic life.

Existential

Many of us are on an ongoing journey to understand our life's meaning and purpose. We are all longing to feel a sense of self-worth/uniqueness, as well as a sense of belonging/connectedness in the world as we grow and change. With the right support and self-awareness, I believe we all have the capacity to live an expansive, meaningful life.

PTSD

We are dynamic beings who are shaped by our experiences. I don't see mental health struggles as a sign that something is "broken" or "wrong," but rather an understandable reaction to one's experiences that we get to examine together. I use the frameworks of Interpersonal Neurobiology and Coherence Therapy to understand the impacts of trauma and support clients in their healing.

Anxiety

We all experience anxiety to some degree. Anxiety is a natural reaction to feeling unsafe or uncertain, and it often escalates when we aren't trusting ourselves in those fears. Sometimes we get trapped in a cycle of anxiety, and it feels impossible to break free. In therapy we work to make sense of the roots of your anxiety, as you learn to tolerate, manage, and alleviate some of that discomfort through finding a real sense of self-trust, wholeness, and clarity.

Loss or Grief

Grief/loss is a particularly special and delicate piece of the human experience and our understanding of mental health, as the process of grief/loss is universal, yet distinctly unique to each individual's felt experience. I believe grief plays a much larger role in our mental health struggles than most of us realize and bring this awareness to my work with all clients. I teach a class on Grief and Loss in the counseling department at PSU, as this is a passion of mine.

LGBTQ Issues

With a strong background in social justice and a personal connection to the LGBTQ community, I am dedicated to working with issues around LGBTQ identity development and navigating relationships and the world within this context. I am trans and non-binary affirming and dedicated to staying informed on the needs and struggles of the entire queer community.

Gender Identity

I enjoy supporting trans and non-binary clients in their path of gender liberation–whatever that looks like. I am trained through Brave Space to write letters on behalf of trans clients for any medical interventions they might need. I am nonbinary and genderqueer, and continue to be on my own path in my gender identity and exploration.