Emily Burkholder is a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) currently completing a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology at Yorkville University. She holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Social Psychology from McMaster University, with a minor in Mental Health and Addiction. During her undergraduate studies, Emily completed a thesis exploring attachment styles and how they influence university students’ relationships and academic experiences, deepening her understanding of how early relational patterns can shape emotional wellbeing and interpersonal functioning. Having grown up in the Niagara region, Emily feels a strong connection to supporting the mental health and wellbeing of individuals within her community.

Before beginning her clinical work, Emily supported individuals through an Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP) and crisis support line, where she conducted intake assessments and helped connect clients with counselling and other appropriate resources. In this role, she worked with people navigating a wide range of concerns, including anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, relationship challenges, workplace stress, life transitions, and periods of significant emotional distress. She also provided support during moments of crisis, offering compassionate listening, emotional grounding, safety planning, and guidance toward next steps.

In her clinical work, Emily supports children ages 10 and older, teens, and adults. She works with clients experiencing concerns such as anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, self-esteem challenges, life transitions, relationship difficulties, and emotional overwhelm. Emily has been passionate about the counselling field from a young age and values the opportunity to support individuals through meaningful change and personal growth. She is committed to creating a space where clients feel safe, understood, and supported in exploring their experiences at their own pace. She believes therapy should be warm, collaborative, empowering, and non-judgmental.

Emily’s approach is person-centred, trauma-informed, strength-based, neurodivergent-affirming, and grounded in empathy, curiosity, and respect for each person’s unique story. She also incorporates mindfulness-based strategies to support emotional awareness, regulation, and present-moment grounding. Drawing from an individualized and integrative approach, Emily incorporates elements of:

Emily is committed to meeting clients where they are and offering a supportive, compassionate space for healing, growth, and meaningful change.