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Emily Kissner

Therapist profile

Emily Kissner

Illinois

Compassionate, creative clinical counseling

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  • Men's wellbeing focus
  • Art-informed therapy
  • LGBTQA+ affirming

About Emily

Emily Kissner is a licensed clinical professional counselor (LCPC) based in Illinois who centers practical, evidence-based work in sessions. She combines talk-based strategies with creative approaches drawn from art therapy to help people manage depression, anxiety, and complex trauma. Emily is LGBTQA+ affirming and describes herself as poly, kink, and sex work - aware. She uses a feminist lens in her practice and accepts international clients.

Clients can expect straightforward, hands-on work. Emily blends psychotherapy methods and art-informed techniques to build coping tools and increase self-understanding. Sessions often focus on patterns that affect relationships, communication, and self-esteem.

Her background includes a Master of Arts in art therapy from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and twelve years working in mental health. That experience includes supporting people through trauma, personality-related concerns, and challenges around substance use. The LCPC credential indicates a licensed clinical professional counselor in Illinois.

Emily pays attention to relational and identity themes such as attachment, abandonment, and blended family dynamics. She also works with people navigating adoption and foster care experiences, caregiver stress, chronic illness and disability, and body image. Her approach explicitly recognizes diverse sexual cultures, including BDSM and kink.

Therapy with Emily aims to strengthen everyday coping, clarify personal goals, and improve communication. She frames work as collaborative and practical, helping people try new strategies between sessions. Prospective clients should confirm current session options before booking.

How evidence-based and creative approaches work online

Emily blends evidence-based psychotherapy techniques with art-informed methods. Evidence-based psychotherapy refers to approaches that focus on changing unhelpful patterns of thinking and behavior, which can help with anxiety, depression, and trauma-related symptoms. Art-informed methods use simple creative exercises to access feelings, clarify goals, and practice new ways of relating when words alone feel difficult.

Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will work with each person to identify goals, try different methods, and adjust the plan based on what helps. This means sessions can include talk-based problem solving, skill practice, or short art exercises guided by the therapist to deepen insight and coping abilities.

Confirm the available session options before scheduling, as the biography does not list specific formats. Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy life - for example, by saving commute time, allowing a quicker check-in during a workday break, or enabling participation from a different city if travel or relocation is a factor. Licensed professionals can use these ways of working to maintain continuity of care and to try approaches that fit the client's schedule and needs.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Family conflictsTrauma and abuseSelf esteemCareer difficultiesCoaching

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentAdoption and foster careAttachment issuesAutism and Asperger SyndromeAvoidant personalityBDSM, kink, and alternative sex cultureBlended family issuesBody imageCaregiver issues and stressChronic pain, illness, and disabilityCo-morbidityCodependencyCommitment issuesCommunication problemsControl issuesCoping with natural or human-caused disasterDependent personalityDissociationDivorce and separationDomestic violenceDrug and alcohol addictionEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFatherhood issuesFirst responder issuesForgivenessGender dysphoriaGuilt and shameHIV / AIDSHoardingHospice and end-of-life counselingImpulsivityInfidelityIsolation / lonelinessJealousyLife purposeMen's issuesMidlife crisisMoney and financial issuesMood disordersMulticultural concernsNarcissismPanic disorder and panic attacksParanoiaPersonality disordersPhobiasPolyamory / non-monogamous relationshipsPostpartum depressionPost-traumatic stressPregnancy and childbirthPrejudice and discriminationProcess addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-harmSelf-loveSex addictionSexual assault and abuseSexual dysfunctionSexualitySocial anxiety and phobiaSomatizationTrichotillomaniaWomen's issuesWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues

Experience

12+ years

Credentials

Illinois

Languages

English

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does Emily commonly address?

She supports people with depression, anxiety, complex trauma, and substance use challenges, plus self-esteem and career questions.

What is her general therapy style?

Emily uses evidence-based psychotherapy techniques together with art-informed methods and a feminist perspective to create practical coping skills.

What experience does she bring?

She has twelve years of experience working in mental health settings and in clinical counseling roles.

What are her credentials and location?

She holds an Illinois LCPC credential and completed a master of arts in art therapy at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

Which languages and international work are supported?

Sessions are offered in English and she accepts international clients.

What session formats are available?

The original biography does not list specific session formats; please confirm current session options with the provider before booking.

How does pricing work?

Cost varies with location and therapist scheduling; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.

How do I begin the process?

Use the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to the therapist's availability.

Emily KissnerContinue with Emily