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Emily Smyly

MA-Level Intern

emily smyly cornerstone christian counseling westminster co

Specialties

  • SYMBIS (save your marriage before it starts)
  • gottman therapy trained
  • anxiety
  • church hurt
  • depression
  • grief/loss
  • interpersonal/communication issues
  • life transitions
  • spiritual direction
  • trauma
  • women’s issues
  • PTSD, complex-PTSD
  • marriage/couples
  • attachment issues
  • self-esteem issues
  • first responders
  • spirituality

Experience Level

Client focus

Age

  • seniors (65+)
  • adults (18+)
  • older teens (16-17)
  • young teens (14-15)
  • preteens (11-13)
  • older children (8-10)
  • young children (5-7)

counseling type

  • individuals
  • couples
  • premarital
  • families
Philosophy and Therapeutic Approach

I consider it an immense honor and privilege to get to be with other people in these sacred spaces – whether it’s grieving, celebrating, or anything in between. I have been the one to sit in the client seat at various points in my life and know first-hand how much courage it takes to seek support…I am so happy you are here.

Drawing from humanistic, person-centered, evidenced-based approaches I believe each person is unique and worthy of individualized, compassionate care. Using attachment-based, psychodynamic, and experiential therapies, we will navigate your pain, suffering, meaning, and curiosity in a way that is honoring to you and your unique story. Together, we will work to “undo the aloneness” of difficult emotional and relational experiences, allowing you to feel accepted and challenged to grow in meaningful ways.

What to Expect in Therapy

I believe healing, change, and growth are possible in the context of a safe relationship – one built on trust and hope; therefore, I desire to create a space where you feel attuned to, heard, seen, and valued. To accomplish that, you will find me bringing authenticity, warmth, curiosity, vulnerability, and humor into the therapeutic space.

It’s completely normal to feel a range of emotions when beginning therapy. It can feel intimidating, awkward, hopeful, exciting (and everything in between). It’s not easy to share your story with someone you hardly know. It’s important for you to feel invited, empowered, and encouraged, but not pushed beyond what you’re comfortable with or what you feel you can tolerate. This invitation and pacing are tailored specifically to you, your unique goals, needs, and strengths.

My hope is you eventually begin to feel like you have enough of a secure base and safe haven within the context of our therapeutic relationship to move toward the places where life feels chaotic, where you feel stuck, disconnected, or hopeless. Moving toward these places is one of the bravest things you can do … and you don’t have to do it alone! I would be honored to walk alongside you.

Personal Qualifications and Experience

I bring over two years of previous counseling experience from my time working with adolescents and young adults in a residential treatment setting. I also bring a unique set of interpersonal skills and experience from my eight years of service as a first responder. Being an empathic presence to people in some of their hardest moments is something I am familiar with. I know the weight, honor, and privilege of stewarding others’ pain. I have also been cared for as a counseling client and share in the experience of how meaningful and impactful it can be to have a compassionate witness to the difficult parts of life.

My calling to serve others and my love for connecting with people led me to pursue my MA in professional counseling. I am completing my final year at Liberty University for a Master of Arts degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. I received my Bachelor of Science in Human Services from the University of Northern Colorado in 2008.

Personal Interests

Quality time with my husband and two young children is what fills my cup the most. We love finding fun new playgrounds to explore, riding bikes and scooters, camping, and playing backyard sports games. When we’re not outside exploring, we love to build forts, play with Legos, do crafts, and spend time with extended family and friends.

I find joy in nourishing the creative parts of me through home improvement projects/organization, art (drawing and acrylic painting), and listening to music (and moving my body to it!). I am constantly on the hunt for new music (of all genres) and love attending outdoor concerts.

Physical activity has always been important to me as I was a high-level competitive athlete from early adolescence through college. Growing up in Colorado, I discovered snowboarding and mountain biking at an early age and have been hooked on both ever since. Being in the mountains is my ‘happy place’ – especially if I get to do it with my favorite people.

NEXT Steps

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“May the work of healing come to feel less like a finish line and more like a dance.” – Aundi Kolber

“Your task is not to seek for love, but merely to seek and find all the barriers within yourself that you have built against it.” – Rumi 

“If we can share our story with someone who responds with empathy and understanding, shame can’t survive.” – Brene Brown

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Cornerstone accepts CCHA Medicaid but does not bill other insurances. We do provide superbills for potential reimbursement.