Emily Hakkinen, LICSW

Emily Hakkinen is a licensed clinical social worker who helps people manage stress, anxiety, grief, relationship strain, and dips in self-esteem. She works with clients on motivation, confidence, and coping with life changes. Emily aims to make the first step feel less daunting and meets people without judgment.

Emily keeps sessions straightforward and person-focused. She creates space for people to share what matters to them and listens for practical next steps. Conversations often center on what a person wants to change and small, achievable goals to get there.

Her approach draws from client-centered work, mindfulness, and solution-focused ideas. That means attention to the person’s values, small experiments to try between sessions, and practices to reduce worry and increase calm. Emily also uses motivational techniques to support movement toward goals.

With five years of professional experience and a Vermont LICSW, she brings both real-world experience and a calm, steady presence. Emily supports people dealing with addiction, ADHD, trauma and abuse, caregiving stress, and end-of-life concerns, among other issues.

Sessions usually focus on immediate concerns and practical coping skills. Emily helps people sort priorities, practice new habits, and build clearer communication strategies. She suggests steps that fit into each person’s day-to-day life and adjusts the plan as needed.

Approaches that translate well to online care

Client-centered therapy focuses on listening and responding to what each person says matters most. Online sessions can use this approach to shape conversations around personal goals and values. Mindfulness therapy uses simple attention and breathing practices to lower stress and reduce worry, and these practices can be taught and practiced during remote sessions. Motivational interviewing is about clarifying what someone wants and building motivation to change, which often works well in short, focused conversations.

Finding the right approach is part of the work together. The therapist will check in about your needs, goals, and preferences and help decide which methods to try first. This is a collaborative process and plans are adjusted as progress is made.

Session formats are not listed in the biography, so confirm current options before booking. Many people find online therapy helps fit sessions into busy schedules, makes it easier to keep regular meetings, and allows shorter check-ins when needed. It can also reduce travel time and make it simpler to practice skills between sessions. Licensed professionals can adapt exercises, mindfulness practices, and goal-setting to an online setting so the work stays focused on everyday improvements.