Emily Barton, Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate

I believe therapy should feel like a place where you can just be- no pressure to have the right words, no fear of being judged, and no need to hide what’s really going on. My role is to listen, to support, and to help you figure out what you need in a way that actually fits you. I don’t use a one-size-fits-all approach. Instead, I take the time to get to know you as a whole person- your personality, your strengths, your story- and together we find tools and strategies that make sense for your life. 

After more than 20 years of coaching athletics, I’ve seen the power of being fully present with people, especially when they’re going through something hard. That same presence is what I bring to therapy. I’ll show up consistently, with honesty and care, and we’ll work at your pace. Whether you're dealing with anxiety, perfectionism, trauma, or just feeling off lately, I’ll help you tune into what’s really going on beneath the surface- and I’ll tailor our work to what actually helps you move forward. 

 Populations I Serve: 

• Adolescents (age 12 and up) 

• Young Adults 

• Women

Am I the right fit for you? I provide specialized support for: 

• Anxiety 

• Depression 

• Suicidal thoughts 

• Self-harm 

• Self-image 

• Self-worth 

• Trauma 

• PTSD 

• OCD 

• Grief 

• Perfectionism

Approaches I Use: 

• EMDR – A brain-based therapy that helps reprocess traumatic memories so they no longer feel activating or stuck. 

• Brainspotting – A technique that accesses deep parts of the brain through eye positioning, allowing unresolved trauma to surface and heal. 

• IFS (Internal Family Systems) – A gentle and compassionate approach that explores the different “parts” within us and helps foster internal harmony. 

• CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) – Helps identify and shift unhelpful thinking patterns to improve emotional and behavioral outcomes. 

• DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy) – Offers practical tools for managing intense emotions, improving relationships, and increasing mindfulness. 

• REBT (Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy) – Focuses on changing irrational beliefs to reduce emotional distress and improve self-awareness.

Education / Training / Certifications: 

• Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling – Capella University 

• Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate 

• Brainspotting Certified 

• EMDR Trained

More About Me: 

I come from a big, blended family, which means I’ve basically earned an honorary degree in organized chaos. Being the “best aunt ever” (a totally unbiased title bestowed by my mini-me niece) is one of my proudest accomplishments-and yes, I take my role as the fun aunt very seriously. 

I’ve spent over 20 years coaching competitive cheerleading, which means I’m fluent in glitter, high-stakes teamwork, and giving motivational speeches on a moment’s notice. Coaching taught me how to be fully present, how to read the room (and the eye-rolls), and how to support people through both victories and meltdowns- which turns out to be excellent training for therapy. 

When I’m not in session, you can usually find me doing something active to clear my head, reading a book I swore I’d only read one chapter of, or deep in a Netflix series I definitely did not mean to binge. I believe in the healing power of real conversation, shared laughter, and showing up as your full self, whether that’s in the therapy room, out in world, or in your favorite hoodie on a Tuesday.