Emma Shakarshy

Hi! My name is Emma and I’m a white, queer, cis femme millennial therapist. I know that’s a lot of descriptors, but social identity is core to my therapy practice. I believe that our social identities, along with our personal histories and relationships, shape our experience of the world.

I’m a relational psychotherapist, which means I’m interested in your relationships and how they shape your life. This also means that our therapeutic relationship is the main tool for your growth and healing. When you feel heard and validated, it gives you the foundation to build healthy relationships with yourself and others. I’m not the kind of therapist who sits back and scribbles on a notepad. I believe that you’re the expert of your life and I’m here to support you—to hold the map, flashlight, and the bag of snacks.

In my pre-therapist former life, I was a teaching artist, workshop facilitator, and nonprofit program coordinator. My academic journey focused on intersectional queer and feminist theory, history, and literature. I’ve also been active in organizing around racial and economic issues in my communities. I’m kink positive, fat positive, and pleasure positive. I affirm poly and queer identities. I believe white supremacy and internalized capitalism dehumanize us, and therapy is a space to name, process, and grieve these impacts.

I might be the right therapist for you if:
- you have anxiety and/or depression
-you identify as LGBTQ or navigating questions around these identities
-you struggle in relationships with family, friends, or partners, particularly around boundaries
-you have experienced trauma
-you navigate challenges around body image and self-esteem

I also offer a free video consultation to see if we’re the right fit. Feel free to reach out if you’d like to take the next step!