Emily Hakkinen

Emily Hakkinen is a licensed clinical social worker in Vermont who helps people facing stress, anxiety, grief, low self-esteem, and life transitions. She supports those struggling with relationship concerns, motivation, and issues tied to addiction or compassion fatigue. Emily aims to make the first step easier for people who are nervous about starting therapy.

Her approach is warm and direct. She creates an open space where clients can talk about thoughts and feelings without fear of judgment. Sessions focus on listening first, then on small, practical steps a person can take between meetings.

Emily uses methods that keep conversations focused and useful. She draws on client-centered principles to follow what matters most to each person. Motivational interviewing helps when someone wants to find reasons to change and build momentum.

Mindfulness techniques are offered to help with stress, anxiety, and coping with loss. Narrative and solution-focused ideas are used to map strengths and set short-term goals. These approaches are chosen to fit the individual’s needs and daily life.

Emily has five years of professional experience as a LICSW, which she applies to a range of concerns including ADHD and intellectual disability when relevant to the person’s goals. She works in English and practices from Vermont.

Therapeutic approaches useful for online care

Emily commonly uses client-centered therapy, which focuses on listening closely and following what matters most to the person. This approach helps people feel heard and guides the work based on their priorities. Motivational interviewing is another method she draws on to help people find internal reasons to change and to build small, achievable steps toward goals. Mindfulness techniques are used to reduce stress and improve attention to the present moment, which can help with anxiety and coping with loss.

Finding the right approach is part of the process. Emily works collaboratively with each person to choose methods that match their needs, goals, and preferences. She reviews what is or isn’t working and adjusts the plan together over time.

Confirm current session options before booking, as this profile does not list specific formats. Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy week, reduce travel time, and allow a quicker check-in during a lunch break. Some approaches, like short solution-focused check-ins or motivational conversations, can be useful for brief online sessions, while mindfulness work can be guided with simple practices between meetings. Ask during the matching process which session arrangements best fit your schedule and needs.