emily hanlon therapist spiral path ohio

Emily Hanlon, LISW-S

Right now you’re frustrated, stuck - and also feel a tug inside your heart telling you it’s possible to experience something different.

I’m passionate about working with clients interested in exploring new paths towards self-understanding and growth, who want to be able to feel secure in their skin and have thriving relationships. I personally struggled in my own therapy in the past because I often felt like while I was gaining some new insights and learning new skills, it didn’t shift the perpetual feeling in the background that I needed to be better and eventually I’d “unlock” the new and improved version of me. Thankfully, those striving parts of me led me to explore mind-body approaches that offer a different way to approach change. Through our work together, you’ll be better equipped to recover and move on from past trauma, meet yourself with self-compassion, and thrive in your relationships.

I don’t take for granted the privilege it is to be a therapist and walk alongside my clients. Therapy that involves growth and change inevitably involve discomfort - but I believe it can and should involve humor, joy and connection.

I Believe…

There is no “right” way to heal, and healing isn’t a linear process.

I love the approaches I’m trained in and I know that there’s no one size fits all approach for everyone.

You have your own innate inner wisdom.

I’m here as a guide, not as an authority. Good therapy allows you to continuously increase your ability to trust yourself and your gut feelings.

Systemic issues impact our world, our development, and the therapy room.

The impact of sexism, racism, homophobia, ableism and fatphobia contribute to our individual and collective traumas. It’s my responsibility as a therapist to examine my biases, privileges, and to be in a perpetual state of learning.

Everyone is inherently worthy of love, acceptance, and belonging.

Period!

More About Me:

  • Late diagnosed ADHD-er; I can lose hours in side quests and cash in new hobbies. I am however almost always on time to client appointments.

  • I love going to thrift/antique stores and exploring off the beaten path places.

  • My undergrad degree was in journalism and I still have a love for writing, design and storytelling.

Education & Credentials

Education and Licensure

Licensed Independent Social Worker with Training Supervision Designation - (I.1901785-SUPV)

Master’s in Social Work, The Ohio State University

Bachelor of Science in Journalism, Ohio University

Advanced Training

Certified EMDR Therapist (profile)

EMDRIA Consultant in Training (CIT)

Internal Family Systems (IFS) - Level 1 (profile)


Why Spiral Path?

Spirals represent growth, transformation and change. As you go through life you’ll grow, contract, then expand - over and over again.

Sometimes our brain really wants things to be linear - we’ll get from point A to point B, we’ll progress in an escalator fashion in our careers/relationships/projects etc, we’ll get to X goal and everything will fall into place.

However, we’re always going to face uncertainty, change, grief - and everything else that comes along with being human. As you grow, you can learn to face these curveballs with a new perspective and self-understanding.