Today we’d like to introduce you to Abby Emmert.
Hi Abby, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I am a licensed professional counselor, a mom, an eating disorder survivor, and an OCD warrior. But the path here was not easy. I struggled most of my life with my mental health, specifically my body and food. In college I was diagnosed with a severe eating disorder and went through treatment at the same time as obtaining my masters in counseling. Doing both at the same time was incredibly challenging, and also so eye-opening. I learned so much about myself, my journey, and what I wanted to dedicate my career to doing: helping other people heal. I worked towards my license with a specialization in eating disorders for 3 years after graduating. During this time, I started to feel like I was missing something. I saw myself in so many clients I was working with, but it wasn’t the eating disorder I was seeing myself in. It wasn’t until my late 20’s that I was finally diagnosed with OCD. Getting a diagnosis later in my 20’s was both relieving to know there was an answer for my struggle, but painful to see how long I had gone not knowing how different my life could have been. In 2023, I opened my own psychotherapy practice, Beautifully You Counseling, with the goal of helping women walk the same path I did to recovery from eating disorders and OCD. Recently, with my birth of my first child, I started to explore specialization and training in Perinatal Mental Health after experiencing my own challenges with anxiety, depression, and OCD during pregnancy and postpartum. My dedication for helping women overcome these hurdles has always been fueled by experience and the amazing support I had along the way. My practice will always be a way of giving that back!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
There were so many steps that were challenging and days I wanted to give up. But the truth is that I was incredibly privileged to have various levels of support and resources that many people don’t have. Obstacles like access to treatment, financial support, a caring and loyal support system, advisors and mentors, the list goes on. Many of the obstacles I faced were immediately followed up by some level of support, and I want to acknowledge that those are very significant barriers that many face even in the same position I found myself in.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Beautifully You Counseling?
I founded an outpatient, psychotherapy practice that offers individual therapy virtually in NJ, PA, DE, and VT. I specialize in helping women with eating disorders, OCD, and perinatal mental health. I especially work well with women that find themselves facing the combination of those very complex parts! My practice as a therapist is strongly rooted in my values which are largely based in my experience in recovery. I strongly believe in autonomy of my clients, that they should feel in control of their treatment and that the space I provide them is never conditional. I believe whole-heartedly in a Health at Every Size and weight inclusive approach. This means that regardless of one’s weight, shape, or identity that they should always be able to seek respectful mental and medical care. And I also believe in taking a harm-reduction approach to my work, which looks for realistic changes towards the client’s goals rather than abstinence from behaviors. I am most proud of my transparency. The thing that kept my eating disorder alive the longest was silence and isolation. I wasn’t talking about it, and it kept so many doors closed that changed my life. When I finally started sharing about my experience, I saw how many other people could relate and were brave enough to share. I use the platforms I have on social media to share information and messaging about mental health so it might find others that are also feeling stuck in that silence and isolation. If my transparency about my own struggles can help even just one person, it is worth it!
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
I love reality tv! I am a loyal Real Housewives viewer.
Pricing:
- 45 minute session is $200
- 60 minute session is $225
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.beautifullyyoucounseling.com
- Instagram: @beautifullyyoucounseling
- Other: Tiktok: @beautifullyyoucounseling
Image Credits
Sarah Garcia @sarahssimplisticshoots
