Emma Higgins, psy.d. (she/her)
Hi, I’m Emma. I’m a licensed psychologist in PA with over 10 years of clinical experience working with a wide range of mental health concerns. Some of the most common issues I help folks with are anxiety, depression, healing from traumatic experiences, relationship issues, navigating life transitions, self-esteem issues, and identity development. I have a special interest in helping individuals identify their values and take steps towards living a more meaningful/authentic life, as well as helping individuals improve their relationships through mindful communication. I see adult individuals, couples, and families coping with a severe diagnosis of a loved one.
I specialize in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and trained under the father of CBT, Dr. Aaron Beck. CBT is one of the most researched and empirically validated approaches to dealing with many mental health conditions, but has gained a reputation of sometimes being a rigid, formulaic approach. I’ve been fortunate to train under supervisors of various therapeutic approaches, and I believe that’s allowed me to incorporate CBT interventions into a more relational and exploratory style. Sometimes you might want your therapist to provide some structure and direct guidance, and sometimes you might benefit from slowing down and reflecting on the deeper meanings, representations, and associations of your experience. I will work with you and adapt to the approach and pace that best meets your needs.
My Approach
Many clients initiate therapy because they are experiencing some kind of distressing symptom or symptoms. We might begin our work by focusing on coping skills and strategies to offer you some relief. However, I believe that the deeper and even more important therapeutic work happens when we get curious about what your distress is signaling about your needs, your values, and your current circumstances. My job is to make your therapy sessions a safe place to explore and experiment with how you show up in the world, how you want to be showing up, and how to bridge the gap between the two.
To create this safe space I offer expertise, warmth and curiosity, authenticity, and a dash of humor. I tend to consider and integrate concepts from a variety of therapy models into a cohesive understanding of my clients and their treatment. Some of the theoretical models I rely most heavily on are CBT, ACT, and Person-Centered.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
CBT is based on the understanding that our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors all influence each other bi-directionally. Therefore, making changes in one of these areas will influence the others. Treatment involves understanding and adapting patterns of thought and behaviors.
Watch your thoughts, they become your words; watch your words, they become your actions; watch your actions, they become your habits; watch your habits, they become your character; watch your character, it becomes your destiny.” ―Lao Tzu
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
ACT is based on the understanding that some of our actions are motivated by avoiding discomfort while others are motivated by moving towards what is important to us. If we can better accept uncomfortable thoughts and feelings we become more able to pursue the things that are important to us.
“Stop trying to control how you feel, and instead take control of what you do.” ― Russ Harris
Person-Centered
Therapy
Person-Centered Therapy is based on the idea that we are all naturally driven towards self-actualization, and given the right conditions we can access the keys to realizing our potential. In therapy, as a therapist demonstrates unconditional acceptance of a client, the client learns to fully accept themselves and live their most authentic life.
“The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change.” - Carl Rogers