Emily Liu (she/her)

Internal family systems (IFS) theory understands each person as comprised of multiple parts that work to keep us safe. At times, some of our parts may be informed by previous traumatic experiences, and because of this, may override us without our knowing. This can result in patterns of thinking, relating, and being that no longer serve us. IFS encourages us to understand, work with, and heal each of our parts without judgment or blame.

Feminist therapy understands the individual within their social and structural context. For example, instead of seeing a depressed person as faulty, a feminist perspective would try and understand where their depressive symptoms are coming from/responding to. A person may be experiencing depression as a result of feeling isolated and overworked within a capitalist system. A feminist perspective would aim to provide them with the tools to set boundaries and locate social support.

Internal family systems (IFS) theory understands each person's consciousness as comprised of multiple parts that work to keep us safe. Sometimes, one of our parts may be informed by previous traumatic experiences, and because of this, may override us without our knowing. This can result in patterns of thinking, relating, and being that no longer serve us. IFS encourages to understand, work with, and heal each of our parts without judgment or blame.

Psychodynamic theory emphasizes an investigation of patterns in the way we think and interact with others. Where, or from whom, do my beliefs about the world come from? What can I learn about myself based on the patterns that arise in my relationships with others? Investigating these questions can teach us to choose new ways of thinking, treating ourselves, and connecting with others.

My personal therapeutic work has shown me how deeply our relationships can affect our emotional and mental well-being. We learn about ourselves through others. We internalize messages about who we are and who we should be. Investigating these internalized messages can free us from being only who we think others want us to be and can help us become better advocates for our own needs.

I understand that our identities, including race, gender, sexuality, class, ability, and immigration status, have real effects on the different ways we experience the world, are treated by others, and the resources we may have had access to in our lives. These experiences deeply inform our mental health and absolutely have a place in therapy. I am advocate for having conversations about cultural dynamics within our relationship and believe it can deepen our trust.

I take a gender- and sexuality-affirming stance in my work with each client, meaning I help clients explore what gender and sexuality mean to them and honor their agency through each step of questioning, exploration, and expression. I also provide letters of support for those seeking gender-affirming care.

Dialectical behavior therapy teaches skills to tolerate distress and emotional dysregulation. It is grounded in radical acceptance that each of us is trying our best and also gives us tools to create tangible change.

Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing is a somatic therapy that taps into the body's natural healing processes to help us get unstuck from patterns of thought, feeling, and behavior that no longer serve us.