About Me

I’m Genevieve Emerson, a licensed Marriage, Couple, and Family Therapist & Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor Level II with 6 years of experience in supporting couples and families navigate a wide variety of relational distress, particularly as they navigate early recovery from substance/alcohol addiction. My passion for mental health & relational work began when my mother first supported me with working through my interpersonal issues w/my friends in grade school through re-enacting the situations and verbally processing with my barbie dolls – and look at me now! I specialize in working with families/couples navigating early recovery, and/or families/couples navigating co-occurring diagnoses of SUD/Alcohol Use Disorder and other MH diagnoses, including anxiety, depression, PTSD. I believe that relationships and connection are paramount to survival, and that when we are experiencing stress in our relationships, it can feel like the most devastating thing in the world. Let me support you & your loved ones with holding and exploring some of that struggle.

Therapeutic Approach

My approach to therapy is mainly rooted in Family Systems theory, Psychoeducation, and Motivational Interviewing but I draw from other techniques such as Internal Family Systems (IFS), Narrative Therapy, and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT). I aim to create a warm and supportive environment where clients feel empowered to explore their challenges and develop new coping strategies. I’m dedicated to co-creating a therapeutic environment where you will hopefully always feel safe and comfortable to provide me with feedback about the therapeutic process – I feel like this only serves to enrich the relational work by acknowledging that I am not a neutral observer, but rather an active member who can provide a birds eye view on relational dynamics and explore those perceptions along with the perspectives you carry.

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Credentials & Experience

I hold a Master of Arts degree in Marriage, Couple, and Family Therapy from Lewis & Clark College (go Pios) and have additional training in alcohol and drug counseling, acknowledged by my Certified and Alcohol and Drug Counselor Level II credential from MHACBO. My professional experience includes 6 years of working in community mental health, with my therapist lore beginning at Washington County Counseling and Victims’ Services & Lewis and Clark Community Counseling Center.

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Outside the Office

When I’m not in the office, I enjoy taking walks, dancing, and trying new things when I am not otherwise occupied with nesting w/my cats. I am also passionate about balancing cultivating awareness w/intentional action when it comes to serving the needs of underserved micro and macro communities that I am a part of in Portland.