About Emily Whitish, LMHC
Therapy for women on Bainbridge Island and across Washington
Hello, I'm Emily
You’ve spent years showing up for everyone and everything — keeping it all running, holding it all together. Maybe you’ve built a life that looks good from the outside, but lately, something feels off. You’re stretched thin, restless, or disconnected in ways you can’t quite name.
For many women, that moment shows up in different forms. Sometimes it’s a life transition that shakes your footing; a career shift, a health change, or the question of who you are now that certain roles have evolved. Sometimes it’s the exhaustion that comes from doing too much for too long, the kind of burnout that no weekend away can fix. And sometimes it’s a relationship pattern that keeps repeating itself, leaving you lonely even when you’re not alone.
My work is about helping you find your way back to yourself, with more honesty, freedom, and self-trust than you’ve ever had before.
Why I love this work
I became a therapist because I’ve always been fascinated by human behavior and the stories that shape who we become. But my work deepened after years of helping women with chronic illness, because illness has a way of uncovering every unworkable part of life: relationships, identity, boundaries, and self-worth.
Over time, my practice grew into something broader: therapy for women navigating midlife transitions, burnout, and relationships. No matter what brings them in, the theme is always the same: women trying to live up to expectations that don’t fit who they are anymore.
I’m passionate about helping women reclaim their agency and build lives that feel self-directed and meaningful. You already have the insight and strength. I simply help you access it.
Quick Professional Facts
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I specialize in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and other well-established interventions like Compassion Focused Therapy and Trauma therapy. My work is informed by shame resilience theory, social justice, feminist theory, intuitive and mindful eating, Buddhist teachings, self-compassion theory, mindfulness-based approaches, and principles of the Healthy At Every Size® model.
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I'm a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Washington State (#LH60159227) with 20 years of experience. I hold a Master's degree in Clinical Counseling from Seattle University and a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from the University of Washington. I'm an Association for Contextual Behavioral Science member. I worked as a therapist and supervisor in mental health organizations before transitioning to private practice in 2011.
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My work is all about focused support for women facing high-impact struggles. I help women navigate identity, big life changes, and relationships.
Grounded in feminist, trauma-informed, and psychodynamic principles, my work as an ACT therapist empowers women to trust themselves, redefine their worth beyond societal expectations, and build lives that align with their true values.
In a nutshell: The skills you’ll learn collectively contribute to psychological flexibility, a state in which you’re free to make choices and act in ways consistent with what YOU want your life to be about.
What therapy with me feels like
Clients describe me as someone they trust, someone who sees them clearly and helps them connect the dots. They often notice changes within the first few weeks: more confidence, stronger boundaries, and less anxiety about getting it all “right.”
When our work is done, my clients say they feel grounded and capable, no longer driven by pressure or fear. They trust themselves. Their relationships are healthier, their lives feel more spacious, and they know how to handle what comes their way.
That’s what I want for you – a life that feels authentic, flexible, and free.
Change doesn’t start with a complete overhaul.
It starts with one honest conversation about what’s not working anymore.
Let’s have that conversation.
Your Therapy Options
Telehealth (Available Now)
I currently offer secure online therapy for women across Washington State. Telehealth makes it easy to fit sessions into your life—whether you’re at home, at work, or anywhere you have privacy. Many clients appreciate the flexibility, comfort, and consistency that virtual sessions provide.
In-Person on Bainbridge Island (Coming Early 2026)
Beginning in early 2026, I’ll be welcoming clients to my office on Bainbridge Island for in-person sessions. I’ll also be offering both in-person and virtual therapy intensives for those who want a deeper, focused approach to healing and growth.
THE BLOG
