MH Intern
Supervised by Heather Vliet, LPC

Emma Ward

Scheduling: 503.444.8230
Hours: Tuesday, 9:00am-12:00pm and Wednesday, 9:00am-5:00pm

emma smiling at the camera

“The privilege of a lifetime is to become who you truly are..”

— Carl Jung

My Approach

My approach to therapy is grounded in the belief that each person has inherent strengths and wisdom which we can become disconnected from for a variety of reasons. Our emotions give us valuable information about what we need to get in touch with our truest selves.

My approach is multicultural and social justice orientated - meaning that our conversations will naturally include your cultural identities and the complexities of your lived experience. In our work together, I will utilize dialectical behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, collaborative problem solving, nonviolent communication, play therapy, emotionally focused therapy, and art therapy techniques. As a therapist, I hope to collaborate with clients and families to strengthen connection with the self and each other as well as build skills to help navigate life’s challenges. 

Ages:

  • 8 years - young adulthood

Specialities:

  • Anxiety

  • Depression

  • Adjustment difficulty

  • Grief and loss

  • Behavioral and emotional concerns

  • Relationship and/or friendship support

  • Expressive arts

  • Trauma and attachment

FAQs

What is your training?

I have a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Portland State University. I am currently completing my master’s degree in Professional Mental Health Counseling at Lewis and Clark College. During my master’s program, I have taken classes centered on supporting children and adolescents to build skills such as emotional regulation, self-efficacy, and social skills. I received training in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy.

What is your experience with children and teens?

I have worked with teens in a residential mental health setting where I led skills groups as well as provided one on one and milieu support. I then transitioned to working in an alternative school setting where I supported students to learn in ways that fit their unique needs. In addition, I led educational groups for middle school students with a local nonprofit. 

What can I expect if I come to see you?

We will spend the first few sessions getting to know each other and figuring out what you would like to work on together. I enjoy utilizing creativity and art therapy techniques. We will utilize different artistic mediums to engage in self-expression and discovery. My therapeutic style is collaborative which means we will work together to figure out what works best for you. 

Do you work with adults? 

Yes, I have experience working with adults at the Lewis and Clark Community Counseling Clinic.