Emily Kirschbaum, LCSW
Pronouns: she/her/hers
I am a queer-identified therapist and I specialize in working with members of the LGBTQIA+ community, people struggling with infertility and/or family planning, and people who have experienced religious trauma. See below for my other areas of focus/interest.
I approach my work with clients, couples, and families in a therapeutic context from a narrative, trauma-informed, sex-positive, body acceptance/body trust, and attachment-based perspective. I’m Level 1 certified in the Gottman Method from the Gottman Institute, a research-based therapeutic modality for working with couples/partners. I am currently working on training and certification in Attachment-Based Therapy, Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT), Health at Every Size/Body Trust curriculum, and Level 2 Clinical Training in the Gottman Method. I have completed training in the following modalities and will use the tools from them in our work together:
Attachment-Based Therapy
Feminist Therapy
Gottman Method
Internal Family Systems (IFS)
Motivational Interviewing
Narrative Therapy
Person-Centered Therapy
Solution-Focused Brief Therapy
Strengths-Based Therapy
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)
My values for my practice and my work with clients are most importantly: courage, accountability, honesty, and vulnerability. I strive for my office to be a “brave space.” Since there is no such thing as a totally “safe” space, I hope that in our time together you will bravely begin this work and I will earn your trust by acting as a container for your process. I do not take this privilege lightly: it’s an honor to be invited on your journey. I will always treat you with kindness, compassion, and respect.
I hope that you will find growth and healing in my office as we work together to help you identify areas where you need support, break unhealthy patterns, and learn important tools to make your life and relationships more fulfilling.
Areas of Focus/Interest
LGBTQIA+ issues - including, but not limited to:
Identity exploration;
Coming out;
Family dynamics surrounding your LGBTQIA+ identity;
Dating & relationship issues;
Navigating non-monogamous relationship styles;
Trans-affirming care;
Fertility & family planning
Trauma (specializing in religious trauma)
Anxiety
Depression
Pre-marital/Pre-engagement work
Infertility & family planning
Pregnancy & postpartum
Life transitions
Structural oppression
Abuse
Sexual & domestic violence.
DEGREES, LICENSURE, & CV
2012: Bachelors of Social Work and minor in French from Hope College
2013: Masters of Social Work, Mental Health concentration from the University of Illinois at Chicago’s Jane Addams College of Social Work
2014: Licensed Master of Social Work in the state of Illinois, License No. 150.014768
2017: Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker in the state of Washington, License No. 60763557
2019: Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of Indiana, License No. 34008656A
2021: Telehealth Certificate in the state of Indiana, License No. TH0001868
