Emily Hakkinen, LICSW

Emily Hakkinen is a Vermont-based therapist who helps people navigate stress, anxiety, grief, and relationship concerns. She also supports those dealing with self-esteem, motivation, addiction, ADHD, and major life transitions like midlife changes. She greets clients with a calm, nonjudgmental presence and encourages small steps toward clearer thinking and better daily routines.

Emily holds a LICSW, which means Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker, and she has five years of professional experience. She focuses on building a trusting space where people can talk through painful memories and confusing feelings. Sessions are practical and focused on what matters most to the person in front of her.

Her style leans toward listening first, then helping people find simple strategies they can try between meetings. She uses mindfulness and client-centered ideas to slow down overwhelming thoughts. Motivational interviewing is used when someone wants help finding momentum for change.

Emily also works with issues that often sit under the surface, such as guilt, shame, abandonment, and caregiving stress. She brings narrative and solution-focused approaches to help people reframe difficult stories and set small, achievable goals. That can be especially useful during midlife shifts when people reassess work, relationships, and purpose.

If you are looking for a straightforward, compassionate approach in Vermont, Emily aims to make starting therapy easier. She encourages people to take the first step and to decide on pace and focus together.

How Emily’s Approaches Fit Online Work

Client-Centered Therapy means the therapist focuses on understanding each person's experience and responding with empathy. Online sessions can use that same listening-first approach to help clients feel heard and make decisions about next steps. Mindfulness Therapy teaches simple ways to notice stressful thoughts and body cues; practicing mindfulness between sessions can reduce reactivity and improve daily coping. Motivational Interviewing helps people find their own reasons to change and set small goals that feel doable.

Finding the right approach is part of the process. Emily will collaborate with each person to decide which methods make the most sense for their goals, needs, and preferences. That might mean trying mindfulness exercises for a few sessions, then shifting toward motivational strategies to build momentum. The plan is adjusted together as progress and priorities become clearer.

Session logistics should be confirmed before booking since formats are not specified in the biography. Ask about available online options when you schedule. Online work can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy life - it can reduce travel time, allow shorter check-ins on a lunch break, or let someone choose whether to use video or audio based on what feels best. These practical benefits often help people maintain consistency while working toward their goals.