Emily Willet, MA, LMHC, LPC
pronouns: she/her/hers
Counseling Services
Counseling Services
*Unfortunately, my schedule is currently full and I am not taking new clients at this time.*
This is an LGBTQ+, poly, and kink positive practice. You are safe here.
I am in-network with Premera Blue Cross, LifeWise, Asuris, Regence, Community Health Plan of Washington, Kaiser Permanente, Cigna, Aetna, Molina, Amerigroup, Coordinated Care, Ambetter, First Choice Health, Providence, and United Healthcare. I also accept private pay and have a sliding fee scale based on income. We can discuss prices/insurances during your consultation or on the phone before your appointment.
*Unfortunately, my schedule is currently full and I am not taking new clients at this time.*
This is an LGBTQ+, poly, and kink positive practice. You are safe here.
I am in-network with Premera Blue Cross, LifeWise, Asuris, Regence, Community Health Plan of Washington, Kaiser Permanente, Cigna, Aetna, Molina, Amerigroup, Coordinated Care, Ambetter, First Choice Health, Providence, and United Healthcare. I also accept private pay and have a sliding fee scale based on income. We can discuss prices/insurances during your consultation or on the phone before your appointment.
Mindfulness and self-awareness begins the healing process, which continues through the outward expression of experiences, feelings of acceptance and safety through the therapeutic relationship, and a conscious working phase of personal goals towards symptom reduction and mental health.
The ultimate goal of counseling is that the client feels better, has strong self esteem, and reaches independent healthy functioning.
The client-counselor relationship is a critical factor of therapeutic change and growth. The client must trust the counselor and relationship to be safe to express thoughts and emotions, to be unguarded and vulnerable, and to feel heard and understood so that the counselor can help the client accept oneself and work towards personal growth.
Counselors enter the therapeutic process with a range of skills, techniques, and ethical decision making capacities grounded in theories - all tailored to each client’s needs in the moment throughout the process.
Everyone has the ability to take personal responsibility and make their own choices, although they may not realize it.
Most people have good intentions and are doing the best they can with what they know.
The main goal of counseling is for clients to become more aware of themselves, cognitively, emotionally, and behaviorally, so they can attend differently to what goes on internally and interpersonally.
Maintenance of new understandings of self occur through integration into one’s working model of self, cognitions, and behaviors. Integration is better assisted by consistent attendance to counseling. Progress is gradual with points of regression.
Specialties
Specialties
I welcome clients of all identities and backgrounds. My focus is on LGBTQ+ clients because it is my passion. I am knowledgeable about polyamory and non-monogomy as well. However, at this time I am not offering couples or family counseling.
A great need right now is in the transgender and gender expansive community. I am an ally and do my best to stay up-to-date on the latest research and terminology. As a trans-affirming provider, I believe that there is nothing wrong with you. Your gender identity is 100% valid, with or without medical intervention. However, I am happy to write letters for hormones/surgery for my clients if needed.
I also am trained to work with ADHD, developmental and complex trauma, religious trauma, PTSD, attachment problems, anxiety, depression, and psychotic disorders.
Experience
Experience
I was trained at Gonzaga University in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program. I completed my clinical internship at HighRoad Human Services, a community health clinic in Idaho that works with foster children and their families.
After graduation, I gained experience working at Frontier Behavioral Health, with adults struggling with severe and chronic mental illness. I was a clinician on the PACT Team, helping people with psychotic disorders with medication, therapy, and community support.
Before opening my own private practice, I worked at Cornerstone Cottage, a residential treatment facility in Post Falls, Idaho for teenage girls in the foster care system. These clients had developmental and complex trauma and were dealing with attachment and behavioral difficulties.
I started my own business focusing on LGBTQ+ clients because I am passionate about this community. I also saw that many people in Spokane still are not able to access providers they need and don't feel safe to discuss or work through gender identity and sexual/affectional orientation. My mission is to help fill that need.
Methods and Style
Methods and Style
I provide a nonjudgmental environment where you can feel safe to discuss and work through identity, relationships, symptoms, and life circumstances. I am strengths-focused, which means that I believe your greatest strengths will help you overcome your obstacles and achieve your goals. I care about your autonomy and want to work with you on the goals you choose.
My methods and counseling style are trauma-informed and based on Person-Centered Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioral Therapies (such as ACT and DBT), Attachment, and Feminism. I acknowledge that collective trauma causes a lot of problems that, on the surface, can look like other issues. I also enjoy getting to the root of things creatively, using Expressive Arts Therapy, Narrative Therapy, and Play Therapy. I have an eclectic approach, tailoring my interventions to each client.
People need to feel heard and believe that they matter. I understand that sometimes our problems are centered around internalizing the problematic themes of dominant culture, believing we are shameful, unworthy, less-than, and defective. I invite you to challenge those norms and beliefs with me, so that you can learn how to thrive.