Emily Ortiz Badalamente, MA, LCMHC, ATR-BC

she/her
​Emily is a Board Certified Registered Art Therapist (ATR-BC) and Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor who works with teens (age 16+) and adults experiencing life transitions, grief and loss, trauma, anxiety, and self-esteem issues. Emily's warm and empathic style lends to a trusting and respectful therapeutic relationship with her clients. Her strengths-based approach allows clients to gain insight, attain achievable goals, and create a fulfilling, joyful, and authentic life. Emily’s approach to therapy is integrative; she believes in addressing the spiritual, emotional, and physical needs of her clients so they may attain self-acceptance and healing.  

Seeking counseling can be difficult. Change and growth can often be uncomfortable. By working with Emily, you can expect a safe and understanding place to explore current and past difficulties, process emotions, and achieve holistic wellbeing.

Emily can provide traditional talk therapy or art therapy depending on client needs and interest. Art therapy can be especially useful for those who have experienced trauma or struggle to verbally express difficult emotions and experiences. 
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Qualifications
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),

Counseling Background
Emily has provided individual therapy, group therapy, and therapeutic experiences 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 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.

Specialization
Emily has training in teaching meditation, mindfulness, meditation in psychotherapy, and sand tray therapy. She works with teens, families, and adults experiencing life transitions, grief and loss, trauma, anxiety, and self-esteem issues. She specializes in trauma-informed art therapy and enjoys working with individuals and groups to explore creative self-expression.

Personal Life
​Emily lives in Winston-Salem with her husband and two mischievous cats. She loves coffee, sewing and quilting, yoga, and morning hikes in the mountains. Meditation and mindfulness have been important practices in her own self-care and spiritual growth. Emily travels often, both near and far, but also enjoys spending time with family and friends on her front porch. She is usually reading several books at a time, but can be easily distracted by re-watching The Big Bang Theory and The Office. Emily is passionate about art and creativity in all forms, and is always excited to try out a new medium or technique.


​For clients considering Art Therapy...
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​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.