Emily Kissner, LCPC

Emily Kissner is an LCPC and a counselor who combines talk therapy with creative approaches. She uses art and psychotherapy methods to help people manage depression, anxiety, trauma, and relationship challenges. Emily brings 12 years of clinical experience and an interest in practical coping skills to each session.

Her work draws on a feminist perspective and an affirming stance toward LGBTQA+ identities. She also describes herself as poly, kink, and sex work - aware, and she aims to create a nonjudgmental space for people with diverse sexual and relationship experiences. She helps people understand how past experiences shape current feelings and behavior.

Emily often integrates art-based activities with evidence-based therapeutic techniques. That might look like using creative materials to name emotions, then pairing that with structured skills practice to manage those feelings. The mix is meant to deepen self-knowledge while building tools to handle daily life.

She addresses a wide range of concerns including family issues, trauma and abuse, self-esteem, career questions, and coaching-style support. Additional focus areas include attachment and abandonment, adoption and foster care, autism and Asperger Syndrome, body image, chronic pain and illness, and caregiver stress.

Based in Illinois, Emily works with people who want a down-to-earth approach that combines practical skills with creative exploration. Prospective clients are encouraged to confirm session options and scheduling details before booking.

Approaches that combine art and evidence-based care

Emily blends art-informed methods with evidence-based psychotherapy techniques. Art-based methods use drawing, collage, or other creative activities to help people name feelings and tell parts of their story that are hard to say. This can be helpful for trauma, body image work, and when words feel limiting.

She also uses structured, evidence-based psychotherapy techniques to teach coping skills. These techniques focus on identifying unhelpful patterns, practicing new ways of responding, and developing day-to-day tools for anxiety, depression, and relationship challenges. That approach helps when someone needs concrete steps to manage symptoms alongside deeper exploration.

Finding the right mix of approaches is collaborative. The therapist will work with the client to test what helps most, adjust methods over time, and combine creative exercises with skills practice as needed. Clients and the therapist decide together which techniques fit their goals and preferences.

The biography does not list specific session formats, so confirm the available options before booking. Online therapy can make it easier to schedule sessions around work, reduce travel time, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and offer flexibility for people managing chronic illness or caregiver duties. Licensed professionals can adapt exercises and skills practice to fit an online session, and creative activities can often be adjusted for remote work as well.