Meet
Emily
The Basics
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Specializes in working with LGBTQ+ youth, teens, couples, families and folks navigating infertility or trying to build a family.
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In-person sessions are offered in Durham, NC at The Birch Center and Telehealth sessions are available to clients throughout the state of NC.
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Affirming of all gender identities, gender expressions, sexualities and relationship structures.
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Private Pay. INN with BCBS and Aetna Pending
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Emily lives in Chapel Hill with her spouse, kid, and two sweet rescue pups. She makes playlists, listens to podcasts, goes swimming, reads Andrea Gibson poetry and aspires to be a consistent woods walker someday.
emily fonseca, lcswa
joining us in february, 2025
Emily is a queer-identified therapist with a passion for working with kids, teens, couples and families. Emily has extensive training and experience as a family therapist and has spent the last few years working with families via intensive, in-home therapy (often with dogs in her lap).
Emily works with family systems, both individually and collectively, to identify personalized goals and build plans to achieve them. She often works with families on improving communication, crisis prevention and de-escalation techniques, nervous system regulation, and improving overall attachment between family members. Emily also has experience supporting families who are fostering or have adopted children. She believes that people’s behaviors, beliefs, thought patterns and needs are products of their experiences, genetics, the society in which they live and the quality of support they receive. Emily also provides gender affirming care to LGBTQ+ youth and walks alongside children, teens, and families navigating questions and needs around gender identity and resources for care.
Emily graduated from Guilford College in 2004 with a dual degree in Psychology and Community & Justice Studies. After graduating, she lived between San Francisco, CA and Portland, OR, working on grassroots political campaigns, in the educational technology space, and as a leadership development coach. After a series of unexpected life twists, it became clear to Emily that social work was her home and she went back to school for her MSW at the UNC Chapel Hill School of Social Work.
Emily's office is a place where clients can come in, kick off their shoes (if they’d like), and know that they will be seen, heard, and supported. Any emotion will always be welcome and no topic off limits.
Certifications & Experience
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Licensed Clinical Social Work Associate
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Certified Family Centered Treatment Therapist
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Masters Degree in Social Work, UNC Chapel Hill
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Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and Community & Justice Studies, Guilford College
Join Emily's waiting list for new client consultations.
Email emily.fonseca@birchcounselingdurham.com.