Meet Your Therapist

Female therapist standing on rocks in front of mountain landscape with snow-capped peaks and cloudy sky.

Emma O’Connell, MSW, RSW

Hello! I’m Emma. I am a Social Worker, partner, sister, friend, daughter, mom and companion to my furry canine friend named Koda. I love being outside, reading fantasy books, hobby-hoping, making bread and learning about people and relationships. 

I am also just a person who is constantly working towards feeling more grounded and connected to myself and my values in this very busy and distracting world. 

I have ADHD and LOVE working with the Neuro-divergent community. Our sessions are not about me, but I think it’s understandable for people to be curious about their therapists and I find deep value in showing up authentically in sessions for both myself and clients! If you’re looking for a blank slate or neutral therapist, I’m not it.

Co-creating a space where you feel comfortable to show up as yourself is just as important in our work together as learning new skills or processing challenging emotions. 

Approach & Education

Approach

I don’t believe in one sized fits all therapy. You are the expert in your life and get to decide what is relevant in our sessions or not. Here are some approaches I use in my sessions:

  • I’m a relational therapist : We don’t function in isolation. Relationships to others - including your therapist - are integral to our understanding of the world and ourselves.

  • I use somatic practices : Body-based rather than intellectualizing.

  • Focus on nervous system regulation : Moving from feeling frantic to more grounded.

  • Compassion focused : Stop being so mean to yourself! …. Seriously, it’s not helping.

  • Neuro-divergent affirming :You don’t need to fit in a box! In fact, throw the box out.

  • Culturally relevant : Culture and what it means to YOU is a valuable part of our work.

  • Trauma informed :Intentional work designed to avoid re-traumatizing your body as we work together.

  • Strength-based: Focusing on and fostering your strengths as a valuable part of who you are and how you move through the world to support feelings of empowerment.

  • Person centered: This is about YOU. You are in the driver’s seat.

Educational Background

I have a Bachelor and Master degree of Social Work from Dalhousie University and am a Registered Social Worker with both the Ontario and Quebec boards. That means that if you have insurance that covers Social Workers, my services will most likely be covered!

Areas Where I Can Support You

  • Learning and understanding more and getting curious about what ADHD, Autism and Neurodivergence means for you and in your life

  • Unraveling beliefs that are keeping you stuck

  • Addressing relationship issues

  • Helping you develop a sense of safety and presence in your own body

  • Increasing capacity for emotional regulation 

  • Achieving personal growth and transformation 

  • Promoting feelings of self-compassion and self-acceptance

  • Working with your inner critic and any other parts that come up and get in your way

Certificates & Training

  • Certificate in Embodied Counselling from The Institute of Somatic Sexology

  • DBT training

  • Motivational Interviewing

  • ADHD Clinical Services Provider Certification

  • ASIST Suicidal Prevention Training