Emma Long
I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker providing teletherapy to adults in Virginia. I approach therapy as a collaboration where we make space for what’s difficult or confusing while also noticing progress and moments of relief. Clients often describe our sessions as calm and genuine, with humor and honesty mixed in. I practice from a compassionate person-centered framework, integrating therapies to help you understand your experiences, manage distress and make changes that matter to you. I’m agnostic and open to people of all faiths and worldviews.
I’ve worked with both civilian and military populations and understand the balance between responsibilities, personal life and resilience.
Therapy isn’t supposed to always feel good. It can be uncomfortable and tiring at times. My hope is that you leave each session with a little more clarity, support, and confidence in yourself. If being on camera feels uncomfortable, we can discuss hiding self-view, adjusting your distance or camera angle while staying sufficiently visible, or covering my image on your screen without covering your camera. Phone-only appointments are not a routine substitute. My standard cash-pay rate is $90 for a scheduled one-hour therapy appointment. Reduced-fee sessions at $30 or $45 may be available for uninsured clients or those with limited financial means. When a paid session is out of reach, we can discuss a brief pro bono check-in based on clinical need, availability and applicable payer rules. Insurance costs depend on your plan. Please bring up financial concerns so we can discuss a manageable arrangement. Documentation requests Detailed letters, clinical summaries, forms and related calls take professional time outside sessions, billed through Square online invoicing. My standard documentation rate is $45/hour; clients with an existing $30 therapy rate pay $30/hour, and agreed pro bono work remains free. We agree on the scope, estimate and spending cap before work begins. I provide clinically supported treatment documentation; I do not offer VA DBQs or formal nexus opinions.
First session
The first session is more of a conversation than an assessment. I’ll ask questions about what’s been happening, what you’ve tried so far, and what you hope to get from therapy. We’ll also talk about safety, privacy, and what to expect emotionally after sessions. Therapy can bring up feelings that are uncomfortable—sometimes people feel more tired or unsettled before they start to feel better. That’s normal, and we’ll plan ahead for it. Before we meet, please complete your Grow intake forms and the notice I send through DocuSign.
Strengths
Clients often tell me that my calm, authentic presence makes it easier to talk about difficult things. I’m not a distant observer—I engage, reflect, and sometimes use humor to help people find perspective in the middle of hard things. I balance warmth with honesty, and I don’t shy away from difficult emotions or complex experiences. I don’t rush people through their stories. My work draws from multiple evidence-based approaches, but what defines it is the way I listen and adapt. I’ve worked with both civilian and military populations and understand the balance between responsibilities, personal life and resilience. I take confidentiality and consent seriously and clients know I’ll always explain why we’re doing something and how it connects to their goals. Therapy with me is both reflective and practical. Some sessions center on skill-building; others focus on meaning and emotion. What makes my approach effective is not a single method but the connection, honesty, and mutual respect that guide everything we do.
Ideal clients
The people I work best with are adults who are ready to look honestly at their experiences, even when that brings discomfort. Many of my clients are navigating anxiety, grief, depression, or trauma. Some are military service members or spouses adjusting to changes in roles or identity. Others are simply trying to feel more stable and hopeful day to day. My ideal clients are people who don’t expect therapy to be easy, but who value the process and want to understand themselves more deeply. They may come to therapy tired of coping alone or unsure where to begin. They may want to build healthier boundaries, improve relationships, or learn how to tolerate distress without shutting down. If you’re open to talking about both the good and the painful, to exploring meaning, humor, and human messiness without judgment, then therapy with me will likely feel like a good fit.
Treatment methods
Person-centered (Rogerian)
Clients describe my sessions as a calm, nonjudgmental space where they feel seen and supported. My role is to meet each person where they are and honor their pace while helping them explore their experiences, challenges, and strengths. We build goals together that reflect what matters most—whether that’s healing from trauma, strengthening relationships, or simply feeling a little more at peace each week.
Integrative
I tailor therapy to each client rather than using one model. Drawing from CBT, DBT, Narrative, and Family Systems approaches, we explore patterns, trauma, and relationships through both insight and skill-building. When trauma is present, I focus on understanding its impact, restoring a sense of safety, and finding meaning without rushing exposure or re-triggering pain. I use limited, gentle exposure only when it feels helpful and wanted—supporting clients in making meaning of what they’ve lived through rather than simply revisiting it. Healing is collaborative and always guided by what feels safe for the client.
Mindfulness-Based Therapy
Many clients find grounding and mindfulness practices reduce anxiety and build awareness of thoughts, emotions, and patterns of avoidance. Alongside that, I often bring in existential reflections—questions about purpose, identity, and what gives life meaning—especially during times of loss, change, or uncertainty. These practices strengthen distress tolerance and help clients reconnect with hope and a greater sense of choice in how they respond to life’s challenges.
Interpersonal
Many of the challenges we face are rooted in how we connect—with others and with ourselves. I use attachment-based and interpersonal approaches to help clients notice the patterns that shape their relationships, communication, and boundaries. Together we explore where those patterns come from and practice new ways of relating that feel more secure and authentic. The goal is to strengthen connection, build self-trust, and create a deeper sense of belonging and emotional safety.
Strength-Based
My style is collaborative, reflective, and curious. I listen closely and mirror what I hear to help clients recognize their own strengths, insights, and motivation for change. We look for what’s already working and build from there, rather than focusing only on what feels broken. When resistance or uncertainty appears, we work with it instead of against it—helping clients feel empowered and capable of making lasting shifts both in therapy and in life outside of it.
Location
Virtual sessions
Identifies as
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Licensed in
- VirginiaLicense 0904010410