MY STORY
My passion for supporting women’s mental health began almost two decades ago. At age 16, I was diagnosed with depression. At the time, I couldn't even tell you what that meant. I was put on medication and never stepped foot into therapy. I didn't even know that was an option. I weathered late high school and early college with a cloud of fatigue, grief, and depressed mood constantly over my head, often putting on a face for everyone around me, including myself. Fast forward 7 years. I am a newlywed and recent college graduate, with little to no direction for my future. With the cloud still hanging over me, I sought therapy for the first time. I struggled to connect with my therapist's approach, often feeling defeated, confused, and heartbroken, wondering if I was failing at what was supposed to be the "happiest" time of my life. Sound familiar?
Years later, I would go on to have my dream job living abroad, doing the work I was confident that I was made to do. During that time, I received training in trauma-informed care and my eyes were opened to the world of mental health for the first time. I saw with new eyes the impact of traumatic experiences on strong, intelligent women trying to hold together their jobs, families, and communities—all while having little to no support.
I needed to be a part of the solution.
Upon returning to the states in 2017, I applied for graduate school to become a therapist and began the slow, enduring work of my own healing in therapy. I soon learned how helpful it was to feel seen, heard, and safe. To talk and work through my years of low self-esteem, depression, and anxiety with another woman willing to go into the dark, difficult places of life to help me move forward. And I became determined to help women like me find their way out of similar challenges. It was life-changing. In early 2021, as the pandemic raged on and I was finishing graduate school, my mom passed away. The bottom fell out of my world. I felt lost. And despite my husband, family, and friends' best efforts, I felt alone and isolated by grief as I tried to make sense of this catastrophic trauma. As I continue to process the impact of this loss, I'm adding to my growing resolve to come alongside women in their fears, their hurt, their catastrophes, and to make sure no one felt the way I once did. Since graduating, I've worked in every level of mental health care, including inpatient, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, and outpatient care. While working within larger healthcare systems, I started Emily Riggs Therapy and Wellness. I garnered great clinical and professional experience in those larger systems, but I knew quickly I wanted the freedom and flexibility to create a career on my terms, to specialize in care for women, and to provide new avenues for treatment. As a therapist and a woman, I know firsthand the depths of trauma and grief. I know what it’s like to feel alone in in the midst of profound personal turmoil and confusion. I've dedicated my training, resources, and life to hold space for women when life inevitably falls apart. Together, we'll push against loneliness, bring calm to chaos, and take the next steps in in your healing.
Upon returning to the states in 2017, I applied for graduate school to become a therapist and began the slow, enduring work of my own healing in therapy. I soon learned how helpful it was to feel seen, heard, and safe. To talk and work through my years of low self-esteem, depression, and anxiety with another woman willing to go into the dark, difficult places of life to help me move forward. And I became determined to help women like me find their way out of similar challenges. It was life-changing. In early 2021, as the pandemic raged on and I was finishing graduate school, my mom passed away. The bottom fell out of my world. I felt lost. And despite my husband, family, and friends' best efforts, I felt alone and isolated by grief as I tried to make sense of this catastrophic trauma. As I continue to process the impact of this loss, I'm adding to my growing resolve to come alongside women in their fears, their hurt, their catastrophes,
and to make sure no one felt the way I once did. Since graduating, I've worked in every level of mental health care, including inpatient, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, and outpatient care. While working within larger healthcare systems, I started Emily Riggs Therapy and Wellness. I garnered great clinical and professional experience in those larger systems, but I knew quickly I wanted the freedom and flexibility to create a career on my terms, to specialize in care for women, and to provide new avenues for treatment. As a therapist and a woman, I know firsthand the depths of trauma and grief. I know what it’s like to feel alone in in the midst of profound personal turmoil and confusion. I've dedicated my training, resources, and life to hold space for women when life inevitably falls apart. Together, we'll push against loneliness, bring calm to chaos, and take the next steps in in your healing.
As a licensed therapist, I specialize in women’s issues related to trauma, grief, loss, anxiety, depression, and life transitions.
I personalize client’s experiences to ensure the best, most appropriate care using therapies such as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy; Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT); and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). I’m also a registered yoga teacher, which has equipped me to integrate somatic (body-based) practices to help clients become more aware of their bodies, emotions, and experiences. This increased awareness helps clients manage stress, feel emotion, process trauma, and challenge themselves to grow, change, and flourish.
Qualifications & Credentials:
Masters in Social Work, Clinical Mental Health concentration
Licensed Independent Social Worker (State of Ohio I.2304636)
Social Work Supervisory Designation (State of Ohio I.2304636-SUPV)
Certified EMDR Therapist (EMDR International Association)
RYT-200 (Registered Yoga Teacher, Yoga Alliance)
Since finding a therapist is a little like dating, here are a some fast facts about me:
In my free time, I love spending time outside with my husband, Ben, and our dog, Lewie. Communication between me and my spouse is mostly comprised of New Girl quotes, and I have to say, after 15 years together, it's going pretty well. I'm a lifelong Grey's Anatomy fan and will never turn down watching an episode of Friends. I enjoy cooking and eating anything gluten-free and dairy-free, but am terrible at baking and crafting. I'm a cheerleader for women embracing who they are as they age, especially those glorious grey hairs and smile lines. I love spending time with my friends and my family, but am an introvert through and through. Blake Lively is my celebrity bestie (and some say doppleganger). I'm unapologetically a millennial. I can hang with the Swifties and N*Sync fangirls, but to be honest, I would pay all the dollars to see Brandi Carlisle perform live. I'm learning to not apologize when it's not warranted and to embrace my current season holding both joy and grief at once.
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