Emily Low, MA, LMHC, LPC

I grew up in a military family and lived in Alaska, all over the continental US, and in Europe as a child. As an adult, I’ve called Alaska, Colombia, Ecuador, and Hawai’i home.

My experience in counseling is as varied as my home locations. I've worked with children in private practice, and elders in hospice. I've also worked with the families of children who were being supported by the child welfare system. I've worked with college students ages 16 - 80s from around the world on problems ranging from managing schizophrenia to coping with messy roommates. I've facilitated groups for people with chronic illness, disabilities, AD/HD and autism, as well as people who experience anxiety and who have been the victims/survivors of sexual violence.

I bring a combination of my personal life experiences, my natural gifts, my training and expertise, as well as my passions to my work as a counselor. We all have our stories, and part of my theoretical orientation as a counselor is that humans grow through relationships (Relational-Cultural Theory). There is also overwhelming evidence that the client-counselor relationship is crucial to an effective counseling process. This is why it is important for me to share a bit about myself with you so that we can begin this journey together.

Some more tidbits about me:

• Before counseling, I worked in K-8 education and I also have a special education background.

• My first experience as a counselor was as a lay-leader for a Chronic Disease Self-Management Program group. I experienced the power of groups during that time - and never looked back.

• I love my job. Knowing that people suffer is not easy, but I don't mind getting dirty. It would be great if I could just shovel away the muck that the people who come to me are sitting in, but I know I can't do it for them. Even if I could, it wouldn't help anyway. Instead, I sit in the muck with them. I see them through all the grime, and I help find the tools they can use to wash and scrape away the layers of yuck that are getting in their way. It is an honor to be there, and often the muck turns into fertile soil.

• I am a pragmatist and a scientist, so I believe that evidence is important. Evidence can come from science/literature/researchers, but the most important evidence always comes from your experience.

• I enjoy gardening, but I especially love eating the foods I grow.

• Volunteering is important to me and I have volunteered for the Red Cross, in suicide prevention, and in many community events and organizations.

• Other hobbies: reading, dancing, spending time outdoors, with my dogs and family, and sewing

My Training and Orientation as a Therapist

As an integrative therapist, I am always learning.

I base my understanding of human development and change on a variety of theories interwoven with neuroscience, and use methods that are effective and that best suit the individual client(s).

Some of the theories and strategies I use include the following.