Today we’d like to introduce you to Emily Dunleavy.
Hi Emily, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Hi, thanks for having me! I currently I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Associate and a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate under the supervision of Chelsey Kinney, LPC-S, & Keith Cobern, PhD, LMFT-S, LPC-S. I am the owner of Haven House Counseling, an online talk-therapy private practice serving individuals, couples, and families in Texas.
It all started when I was in 7th grade, and I decided I wanted to be a Mental Health Counselor. This decision stemmed more from the process of elimination than a passion for the career. Initially, I aspired to be a nurse, but by 1st grade, I realized I had a severe fear of blood, needles, and anything related to bodily functions. So, that path was quickly ruled out.
When I started college, I pursued a degree in psychology without a real desire to become a licensed counselor. However, attending my own counseling sessions changed everything. I was amazed at what I learned about myself. I realized I didn’t have to be responsible for everyone else’s emotions, thoughts, or decisions. This life-altering experience gave me a newfound freedom and ignited a passion for counseling as a career. I went on to complete my Master’s degree in Professional Counseling from Dallas Baptist University.
After earning my master’s degree, I pursued dual licensure to become a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate and a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Associate. Currently, I am supervised by Chelsey Kinney, LPC-S, and Keith Cobern, PhD, LPC-S, LMFT-S.
The next step in my counseling journey was starting my own private practice, Haven House Counseling, PLLC. I founded Haven House Counseling with the intention of creating an approachable, safe, and informative atmosphere for individuals, couples, and families.
The more I learn about counseling and myself, the more convinced I am that this career is a perfect fit for me. Most often, we try to avoid pain and suffering—and for good reason. However, in counseling, we must turn towards pain and suffering to find healing and wholeness. I am continually in awe of my clients’ bravery as they move towards the pain. It truly is a sacred experience, witnessing individuals find strength and compassion within themselves to walk towards restoration.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
There have been many challenges throughout this journey, but despite this, my desire to pursue a career in counseling has remained strong. Earning a master’s degree in professional counseling is a three-year program requiring over 60 credit hours, three semesters of internship, and 700 clinical hours. The program was both rigorous and expensive, and I worked full-time throughout to help cover the costs. At one point, I was seeing 16 clients a week, working my day job, and taking night classes, which took a toll on my social life.
Graduating with a master’s degree alone is not enough to become a licensed counselor. Since I was pursuing two licenses, I had to take two national licensing exams. In my final semester, I was completing my clinical hours, working, taking classes, meeting graduation requirements, applying for state licensure, seeking employment, and studying for these exams.
With great relief, I passed both exams and received my Associate licenses. However, counselors must gain 3,000 hours of experience before becoming fully licensed, similar to a medical residency. Currently, I am accruing these hours as a licensed counselor associate.
Turns out, becoming a licensed mental health therapist takes about eight years. Good thing no one told me that upfront, or I may have never pursued this career!
Despite the stress, I am grateful for these experiences. They have equipped me well for my career, and I appreciate the support and training I’ve received. The rigorous path to becoming a licensed counselor is necessary, as it ensures that people seeking mental health services receive ethical, competent, and passionate care.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’ve worked with individuals, couples, and families from all walks of life. My experience spans outpatient, partial hospitalization, and intensive outpatient settings.
I focus on creating a safe, judgment-free zone for clients to unpack their feelings, thoughts, and fears.
My specialties include relationships, sexual concerns, and trauma recovery.
The relationships I work with may involve family of origin, chosen family, partner, children, whole families, or even your relationship with yourself. When working with families or partners, I develop practical strategies to increase emotional safety and connection. Through simple exercises, handouts, and homework, progress becomes relevant and attainable. Couples and families also learn communication skills, insights on how family systems function, and steps to address conflict.
I often work with clients seeking to heal attachment wounds and enjoy delving into attachment theory, which explores how early relationships shape current ones.
Sexual concerns I address include sexual pain, sexual dysfunction, healthy sexuality, and healing from sexual trauma.
I am known for empowering my clients while validating their real pain, cheering them on as they make meaningful changes, and gently confronting self-sabotaging behaviors, often with a little bit of humor. I aim to address not only outward behaviors but also the underlying reasons for them. We can know the right answers intellectually without being able to change our feelings or behaviors. I want my clients to understand truth intellectually and experience it bodily.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
I am an avid podcast listener and audiobook connoisseur. If you see me in my car, you’ll probably find me listening to one of these audiobooks:
– Maybe You Should Talk to Someone by Lori Gottlieb
– Try Softer by Aundi Kolber
– Unwanted by Jay Stringer
– No Bad Parts by Richard Schwartz
– Hold Me Tight by Sue Johnson
Podcasts I love include The Place We Find Ourselves by Adam Young, Therapist Uncensored, and The Couples Therapist Couch.
Professionals who I will read anything they publish:
– John & Julie Gottman
– Sue Johnson
– Richard Schwartz
– Dr. Becky at Good Inside
– Jay Stringer
When I am needing a break from professional content, I will be listening to a thriller audiobook or listening to survival story podcasts (such as Out Alive by Backpacker or Not Today).
Pricing:
- Individual Session: $110
- Couple or Family Session: $135
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.havenhouse-counseling.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/havenhousecounseling/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558472104320
