Emily Ortiz Badalamente
MA, LCMHC, ATR-BC
Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor
Board Certified Registered Art Therapist
she/her
Emily works with individuals who are seeking change in their life, whether that comes through change of circumstance or change of mindset. By working with Emily, you can expect a compassionate and empathetic place to explore current and past difficulties, process emotions, and work towards wellbeing. Emily enjoys working with adults who are seeking support in navigating life transitions, challenges related to ADHD, processing trauma, managing anxiety, and those working through self-esteem or sex and intimacy concerns. She takes a strengths-based, person-centered approach and has training in trauma-informed approaches, sex-positive therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and ADHD support.
Emily is a Board Certified Registered Art Therapist (ATR-BC) and Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor, and can provide talk therapy or art therapy depending on your goals and interest. Art therapy may be especially useful for those who have experienced trauma or struggle to verbally express difficult emotions and experiences.
Qualifications
Emily is a Board Certified Registered Art Therapist (ATR-BC) and Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor who works with individuals experiencing challenges related to ADHD, life transitions, trauma, anxiety, and self-esteem issues. Emily also works with adults experiencing concerns related to sex and intimacy. Emily has training in supporting clients with ADHD, trauma informed care, sex and intimacy concerns, and mindfulness and meditation in psychotherapy. She has specialized training in art therapy and enjoys working with individuals to explore creative self-expression.
Background
Emily received her Master of Arts in Art Therapy from The George Washington University in Washington, DC, with a focus on trauma-informed care. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Studio Arts from Wake Forest University. Emily is licensed in North Carolina as a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC #16548) and nationally credentialed as a Board Certified Registered Art Therapist (ATR-BC #18-339). Emily hold a certificate in Trauma Informed Clinical Practice from New York University and is an ADHD Certified Clinical Services Provider. Emily has additional training in sex positive therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and mindfulness in psychotherapy.
Specialization
In previous roles, Emily has provided individual and group therapy to child, adolescent, and adult clients in acute inpatient, outpatient, and community based settings throughout the Washington, D.C. area and the Triad area of North Carolina. As a manager and clinician at a day program for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, she supported clients through life transitions and families through difficult changes. She has provided art therapy and therapeutic art experiences to cancer survivors, caregivers, medical professionals, and grieving adults, encouraging individuals to explore wellness and self-care as they navigate trauma and loss.
Personal Life
Emily lives in Winston-Salem with her husband and two mischievous cats. She loves coffee, sewing, reading, yoga, and morning hikes in the foothills. Emily travels often, both near and far, but also enjoys spending time with family and friends at local spots. Like many fellow ADHD-ers, she is usually reading several books at a time, but can be easily distracted by a crafting project or re-watching Ted Lasso and Schitt’s Creek. Emily is passionate about art and creativity in all forms, and is always excited to try out a new medium or technique. She often teaches sewing classes at a local fabric shop, and enjoys introducing people to new creative outlets.
For clients considering Art Therapy...
Art therapy uses art, craft, and creative processes for self-expression, exploring emotions, processing past experiences, and reaching therapeutic goals. Creating and sharing art can be simple enough to promote expression yet powerful enough to encourage mindfulness and calm to the nervous system. This can occur alongside traditional talk-therapy techniques or as a primary therapy approach. Art therapy is an empowering and safe way to communicate beyond words, explore your story, and heal.
You don’t have to have any artistic experience nor talent to benefit from art therapy. Most often, art therapy focuses on the process of creating rather than the finished product. The most important thing to remember about art therapy is that the focus is not on artistic ability - just be open to using the creative process to express yourself! Everyone can benefit from the therapeutic power of art therapy, and the best way to understand it is to experience it for yourself.