Emy Zettner, M.A., M.S., LMFT
Video Therapy in Oregon & California
About Me
Curiosity | Creativity | Compassion
“A self is not something static, tied up in a pretty parcel and handed to the child, finished and complete. A self is always becoming.”
Madeleine L'Engle
My Story
The Journey
My path to becoming a psychotherapist wasn't a straight forward one, but one that makes sense looking back. With each area of study or job I've done, my professional work has centered on and combined my three life-long passions: learning, creativity, and people.
I started as a graphic designer after college and quickly discovered I wanted to utilize my creativity by working with others more directly. I went back to school for a teaching credential, and over the years I taught various subjects at all grade levels from elementary through high school. In my work with students and their families, I became familiar with academic and social-emotional issues that young people face and the challenges of modern parenting. With an increasing interest in psychology and human development, as well as some transformative progress in my own personal therapy, eventually the path (and even more school) led me to the wonderful career of psychotherapy.
My personal and professional experiences have humbled and inspired me to aid others on their own journeys. I love the work I do and I bring my signature curiosity and compassion into each and every session with clients.
Other Fun Tidbits
When I'm not therapizing I enjoy reading, yoga, crosswords, arts & crafts, journaling, playing music, being outdoors, and traveling. My husband and I are doting parents to a corgi puppy and two sweet calico cats. I'm a grammar nerd, an ice cream connoisseur, and a gemstone aficionado. I like big words but I'm also pretty casual. Perfectionist in recovery, right here. IMO, Ted Lasso is all that's right with the world... chock-full of endearing character development and therapeutic lessons. #BELIEVE
Professional Experience
Independent & Group Practice
In my private practice I serve clients located in Oregon and California. I work with teens and adults of all ages, especially people in college and in their 20s. Prior to starting my own business, I trained with Bay Area Psychotherapy Institute in the San Francisco Bay Area, CA. In my four years with the BAPTI community, I completed pre-licensed clinical training, developed entrepreneurial skills, and served as Administrative Director from 2020–2022.
Community Mental Health
For three years I completed pre-licensed and supervised training at Discovery Counseling Center in Danville, CA. In the clinic I treated children, teens, adults, and families experiencing a range of mental health concerns. In Discovery's School Counseling Intervention Program, I provided school-based counseling and play therapy for elementary and middle school students at various school sites in the local district.
Educator & Designer
My previous professional career was in the field of education. My roles and positions included instructing middle school English and history, teaching elementary art classes, and working in summer camps and after school programs. Prior to this, I worked briefly as a graphic designer in the restaurant and hospitality industry, with a focus on logos, brand identity, and print marketing materials.
State Boards & Licensure
I am licensed as a Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) by the following state boards:
Oregon Board of Licensed Professional Counselors and Therapists
LMFT T2046
Degrees & Certifications
Master of Science in Counseling,
California State University East Bay
Master of Arts & California Single Subject Teaching Credential,
St. Mary's College of California
Bachelor's degrees in graphic design and German,
Chapman University
Professional Trainings
I have completed continuing education to gain further specialization in:
Suicide assessment and prevention
Non-suicidal self-injury
Treatment of complex trauma
Attachment in relationships
Perfectionism & inner criticism
Therapy for gifted clients
The Enneagram and Myers-Briggs
Clinical documentation best practices
My Practice
Passion | Authenticity | Integrity
About My Practice
Mission & Philosophy
Therapy offers potential for healing and opportunity for growth, and I am passionate about supporting clients through this process. I believe that each person has a unique story and carries valuable potential. I help clients develop the personal strength and balance needed to meet life’s challenges, and I empower clients to live authentic, purposeful, and connected lives. My goal is for clients to feel heard, supported, and guided by our work together.
Client Populations & Identities
I work with individual adults of all ages and teens aged 13-17. I especially enjoy and mainly work with college students, young adults, and young women.
I welcome and support all types of diversity in my practice. I have professional experience working with clients of various racial and ethnic identities, LGBTQ+ communities, neurodiversity, and alternative relationship styles.
I encourage open discussion about how clients' identities and intersectionality may present and impact therapy. I'm also happy to answer any questions about myself and/or my identity, to the extent this may support clients' therapuetic work and the client-therapist relationship. I am female-identified and my pronouns are she/her.
Practice Areas & Presenting Issues
I work with a variety of presenting issues and concerns including:
Depression and mood disorders
General anxiety and stress
Challenges with coping skills and self-care
ADHD and executive functioning issues
Autism spectrum and neurodivergence
LGBTQ, gender, and sexuality
Young adult and college-related concerns
Life transitions and identity development
Low self-esteem and/or low confidence
Perfectionism and/or inner criticism
Peer relationships and social difficulties
Marriage and intimate partner/relationship issues
Codependency, boundaries, and attachment issues
Family conflict and communication
Family of origin/developmental trauma and Complex PTSD
Grief and loss experiences
Self-harming
Spirituality and existential concerns
My Therapeutic Approach
My approach is founded on a collaborative and respectful relationship with clients, as well as a strong sense of authenticity and integrity that I bring to my practice. I have been described as a welcoming, enthusiastic, and attentive therapist who creates a comfortable and fully accepting environment.
While I provide clients ample space, I'm not the type of therapist who sits back, nods, and gives an occasional "Mmm hmm." I dialogue with clients, I ask meaningful questions, and I provide observations and interpretations when needed.
Research shows that a positive and trusting client-therapist relationship is a main factor in successful therapy. To that end, I welcome honest feedback and invite clients to talk with me openly about their experience of working with me.
Theories and Modalities Used
My work with all clients is founded on a few core, related theories of psychotherapy. From there I tailor my approach to an individual client’s concerns and therapy goals, often integrating a variety of methods and interventions into sessions.
My practice is mainly founded on Humanistic and Existential theories and it is person-centered and strengths-based. These theories take a positive approach to treatment and emphasize a client's subjective experience, inherent goodness, resilience, and potential for growth and self-actualization — rather than treating a client as flawed and their problems as pathology to be fixed.
I also often utilize a combination of Psychodynamic, Attachment, and Family Systems theories to help clients understand their interpersonal relationships and gain insight into past experiences and patterns that impact current life challenges.
With my background in art and design, I enjoy incorporating Expressive Arts activities into sessions, especially with teen clients. Such activities can include writing, painting, drawing, and collage-making with a variety of materials to explore thoughts, emotions, and experiences.
I have extensive professional and personal experience with both the Enneagram and Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI). I'm happy to use both or either of these personality frameworks with clients who are interested, whether new beginners or those with prior experience. Rather than to limit or define a person, the goal in using these systems is to develop understanding of the self and others for personal growth.
Depending on a client's needs and goals in therapy, I may also draw on principles and skills from:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) examines how thoughts, feelings, and actions influence and impact one another.
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) balances opposite concepts of change and acceptance and focuses on skills such as distress tolerance, emotional regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) works towards psychological flexibility, accepting emotions, and choosing actions based on one's values.
Mindfulness-based interventions help develop awareness of the present moment with compassion and without judgment. Mindfulness is often a component of CBT, DBT, and ACT.
Appointment Information
For Getting Started
Hours & Scheduling
Regular business hours for appointments, calls, and email:
9 am – 6 pm, Monday – Thursday
Scheduling is by appointment after an initial phone consultation. Please complete a Contact Form to schedule a call.
Current availability can be viewed on the Contact page.
Cancellation Policy
I require at least 24 hours advance notice for cancellations. If a client does not arrive for their appointment and has not cancelled with at least 24 hours notice, the full session fee will be charged.
This charge is standard business practice and takes into account that a client is paying not only for therapy services but also a reserved time slot that is not offered to other clients.
Fees & Notice
Standard rate per 50-minute session: $190 starting Jan 2024
Based on clients' needs, I offer reduced fees for a limited number of appointment slots. Please contact me to inquire.
After an initial consultation and prior to a first appointment, a client has the legal right to receive a Good Faith Estimate that explains the total expected cost of psychotherapy services.
Payment & Insurance
Office appointments may be paid by cash, check, or card. Due to the remote nature of telehealth, video appointments must be paid by placing a card on file.
I am an out-of-network provider and do not currently accept insurance. I can provide you with a "super bill" or statement of fees paid, which you can submit to your insurance for potential reimbursement. Please contact your insurance plan directly to check whether mental health services can be reimbursed.
Video / Telehealth Appointments
All video appointments are conducted through a professional and secure platform that complies with HIPAA standards. Clients must be located in a confidential space in either Oregon or California and must confirm their physical location/address. Clients may use any type of device that supports Internet access.
Click below to view video appointment availability.
In-Person / Office Appointments
My practice is fully telehealth/video and I'm currently unable to offer in-person appointments.
Click below to view video appointment availability.
“It takes a deep commitment to change and an even deeper commitment to grow.”