A counselor trainee (CT) is a graduate counseling student seeking licensure as a professional counselor. Counselor Trainees have the same scope of practice as a professional counselor, but require much closer supervision during the training process.
Emily Testa (pronouns: she/her) is a counselor trainee who works with adults. Her specialty interests include: anxiety, chronic health issues and disability, depression, life transitions, and trauma. She utilizes evidence-based treatment approaches tailored for each client’s unique needs.
Emily completed her advanced education at The Ohio State University, earning a bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in human development and family sciences. She is currently a master’s student at Kent State University completing a degree in clinical mental health counseling. Her education has included coursework on multicultural counseling, motivational interviewing, research, and career counseling.
Prior to joining Wellness Grove, Emily worked with the emerging adulthood population at the Kent State University Counseling Center. At the counseling center, she utilized cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness techniques with clients. She assisted clients in coping with trauma, relationship concerns, depression, and anxiety.
Beyond her clinical work, Emily has experience working with college students with autism spectrum disorder and traumatic brain injuries, assisting them with academic and career development. She has also worked as a research assistant studying the outcomes for children and families experiencing chronic health conditions. These experiences have increased her commitment to approaching each client with openness and adaptability.
Emily’s approach to counseling is rooted in genuineness and compassion. She focuses on creating an environment where clients feel empowered to be themselves and draw on their strengths to become who they want to be. She believes healing happens when clients feel safe, supported, and known. She draws from evidence-based approaches including person-centered, cognitive behavioral (CBT), dialectical behavioral (DBT), and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT).
Her strengths include: a strong collaborative spirit, genuineness, warmth, patience, and a calming presence that helps clients feel seen and supported no matter where they are on their journey.
Adoption
Asperger's Syndrome
Autism
Chronic Illness
Developmental Disorders
Emotional Disturbance
Intellectual Disability
Learning Disabilities
Obsessive-Compulsive (OCD)
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Career Counseling
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Culturally Sensitive
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Mindfulness-Based Therapy
Motivational Interviewing (MI)
Multicultural Therapy
Person-Centered Therapy
Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT)
Strength-Based Therapy
Talk Therapy
Trauma-Informed Therapy
Cancer
Gay Allied
Queer Allied