Meet emily gabelman, Lmft
You’re built for connection, making sex and relationships an integral part of your life.
The options for sexual expression, the way you show up in relationships, and the way you attain pleasure are endless; however, in a world where you’re told how you should be, you may have aligned yourself with the “safe” option. Usually, this looks like fitting yourself into what your culture taught you, rather than understanding, acknowledging, and embracing your preferences, sexual expression, and who you authentically are. You may feel awkward or shameful when communicating and relating to others around your erotic preferences; you may even feel these things in exploring your sexuality solo. No matter how you’re exploring, I want you to know that we all feel confused, sad, ashamed, angry, broken, uncertain, or even fearful when engaging with this facet of our human experience at some point. Navigating sex and relationships is a powerful form of pursuit and withdrawal that I want you to feel empowered, informed, and supported in.
My goal as your therapist is to provide you with a safe, comfortable environment where you can truly explore your emotional experiences, understand them, learn how they affect you and your relationships, and create change. I am approachable and casual in my communication with clients, while still being direct and honest (it’s a disservice to you if this doesn’t happen in your therapy sessions!). Clients who work well with me say that I’m easy to talk to, that I feel very human to them, and that I tend to ask questions and have insights that bring them deeply into knowing themselves and the way they relate to others. My approach to therapy is client-centered; I allow you to drive the session while guiding and supporting you.
My areas of clinical interest include working with individuals and couples on navigating high conflict communication, repairing from infidelity and broken trust, working with sexual trauma, sexual dysfunction (painful sex, vaginismus, erectile dysfunction, rapid ejaculation), performance anxiety, difficulty reaching orgasm, pleasure and identity exploration, deconstructing problematic socialization (religious backgrounds, toxic masculinity, etc.). I have extensive training in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), a highly effective therapy, particularly when it comes to communication and emotional expression (the foundation of healthy sexuality). Additionally, I utilize a psychodynamic framework, along with interventions and techniques from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, mindfulness techniques, Feminist therapy and solution-focused therapy.
After completing an undergraduate degree in Human Development and Family Science with a minor in Psychology at The Ohio State University and living abroad for a bit, I attended the University of Louisville and received a master of science degree in Social Work, with a specialization in Couple and Family Therapy. I am an LCSW in Kentucky and an LMFT in Illinois. My unique duality in my professional identity as both a social worker and a marriage and family therapist allows me to have a broader understanding of the larger systems affecting my clients, in addition to clinical skills. Helping clients understand how these larger systems affect their mental health, sexual health, and relationships is an important component of my work. As a white cis woman, I engage in ongoing learning of how to be more culturally sensitive and inclusive in my work. I work from a queer-affirming, anti-oppression, and anti-racism lens. In addition to clinical work, I am an active member of AASECT (American Association for Sex Educators, Counselors, and Therapists) and ICEEFT (International Center for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy). I also have a podcast called Just Mental Health with Steph & Em, where my friend/colleague and I discuss mental health through a social justice lens.
Emily sees clients at our Wicker Park location, as well as via telehealth.
She is in-network with BCBS PPO, Aetna, & United Healthcare insurance.
She can be reached by phone at 502-694- 2590.
