Kirsten Emery, MS LMFT CADC

Licensed Marriage and Family Counselor and Certified Addictions Counselor

Hi! My name is Kirsten Emery and I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor. A family/systems therapist by training, I am passionate about helping clients uncover ways in which their past experiences might be holding them back from embracing the life they want for themselves. I love assisting clients with making the connection between their past and present. It is especially meaningful to watch my clients take that connection and create positive change from it.

As a therapist, I have an empathetic and direct style. As a result, I’ll effectively help you identify patterns in your life that are no longer serving you and collaborate with you to create meaningful change. This means, in addition to talking about the past, I aim to provide my clients with the tools and support necessary to develop coping skills to create symptom relief in the present. And because everyone is different, I help my clients create their own personal, individualized path to healing (no cookie-cutter treatment plans here!)

MY SPECIALTIES

  • Anxiety Disorders

  • Depressive Disorders

  • Eating Disorders and Body Shame

  • Substance Abuse and Dependence

  • Consensual Nonmonogamy

  • BDSM/Kink

  • Family Issues and Family Therapy

  • Low Self-Esteem

  • Men’s Issues

I specialize in working with individuals struggling with substance abuse, eating disorders and body image issues, depressive disorders, and anxiety. I also enjoy working with people who have been diagnosed with personality disorders and people impacted by loved ones living with personality disorders. As a systemic therapist, I have a special interest in helping individuals navigate the complexities and joys of polyamorous and alternative relationships as well as those exploring the world of BDSM and kink to develop sex positivity and heal past attachment traumas.

When I'm not working, you could easily find me perusing a bookstore or reading any number of books from different genres, though my favorites are fantasy and speculative fiction. I also enjoy spending free time with my husband, our rabbit, Rubeus, and our parrot, Gizmo--both of whom provide loads of entertainment with their goofiness--writing, and spending time outside in nature!

I work with Aetna, Anthem, Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO, and United Health Care/Optum as an in-network provider. I am a licensed provider in both Illinois and Wisconsin. If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment with me, please feel free to email me at Kirsten@paderatherapy.com or (224) 636-2959. I look forward to partnering with you on this journey!

Questions about insurance? Give us a call and we would be happy to answer them! We can often work with insurance companies if we are out-of-network. If we are an out of network provider or you do not have insurance, our rate is currently $135.00 for a 50 minute session. However, we also offer reduced rates in special circumstances. Finances should never be a deterrent for seeking help! We work with families to come up with a number that works for you!