Emily Mandel, MS

Hello! I'm Emily, a Licensed Professional Counselor Candidate (LPCC) at Empowering Hope.

I earned my Master's degree in Counseling and Career Development from Colorado State University and my Master's degree in Behavior Analysis from Simmons University. Before becoming a therapist, I spent time in a variety of roles including teaching, research, special education, wildlife education, and behavioral health. While those experiences may seem unrelated at first glance, they've all taught me something important: people are wonderfully complex, and there is no single "right" way to be human.

Much of my clinical experience has been working with neurodivergent individuals and their families. As a neurodivergent therapist myself, I bring both professional training and lived experience to this work. I practice from a neuroaffirming perspective and believe our differences are something to understand, support, and honor, not something to fix. Whether you're navigating burnout, relationships, identity, life transitions, executive functioning challenges, or simply trying to make sense of yourself in a world that doesn't always make sense, I strive to create a space where you can show up authentically and feel genuinely understood.

I am also passionate about grief work. Grief is often associated with death, but it can also arise from illness, injury, changes in relationships, major life transitions, unmet expectations, or the loss of a future you thought you were going to have. Grief can be messy, confusing, and exhausting. It rarely follows a neat path. Whatever grief looks like for you, we can make space for it together. My goal is not to rush you through the process, but to help you carry it, understand it, and find ways to move forward while honoring what has been lost.

I strive to create an affirming and welcoming space for people of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences, including LGBTQIA+ individuals, people with disabilities, and those from diverse cultural, religious, and ethnic backgrounds. Whoever you are, wherever you've been, and wherever you're going, you are welcome here.

My approach to therapy is warm, collaborative, honest, and grounded in the belief that healing happens through connection. I also believe humor belongs in the therapy room. Life is hard, and sometimes a well-timed laugh can help us survive the parts that feel impossible.

My therapeutic work is primarily informed by Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). At the same time, I don't believe in a one-size-fits-all approach to therapy. Every person brings a unique story, strengths, and way of experiencing the world, so I tailor therapy to fit the individual rather than the other way around. Depending on your needs and goals, I may also draw from Internal Family Systems (IFS), Narrative Therapy, Transactional Analysis, Person-Centered Therapy, and other approaches. In other words, I believe in using the right tools for the person in front of me, not forcing every person into the same toolbox.

Outside of therapy, you'll usually find me spending time with my husband and our family of critters, birding, creating art, exploring the outdoors, cheering on the New York Rangers, or enthusiastically tracking whatever cool storms are rolling in.

I believe therapy should be a place where you can show up exactly as you are—without needing to have the right words, the right answers, or everything figured out. Whether you're seeking healing, growth, clarity, connection, or simply a place to start, I would be honored to walk alongside you.