ADHD, anxiety, perfectionism, self-esteem, parent coaching, maternal mental health including prenatal and postpartum struggles
Emily Steffen
How I Can Help
Pronouns:
She/her
Clients Seen:
Teens, Young Adults, Parents
Specialized Training:
Yoga Training, ADHD, Maternal Mental Health
First Things First
Good therapy starts with an honest and authentic connection. I am here to co-create a space where you feel safe to be yourself. I will be consistent, non-judgmental, direct, and kind. We will work together to build your resilience, tackle life’s challenges head-on, and help you to become the best version of yourself. I believe that the foundation of effective therapy lies in a strong, trusting relationship, and I am committed to ensuring that we’re the right fit for your goals and needs.
I work with teens, college students, young adults, and parents at all stages of their parenting journeys. I am completing training for my Perinatal Mood Disorders certification (PMH-C) through Postpartum Support International and work with women navigating pregnancy, fertility issues, and postpartum anxiety and depression. For parents of school-aged kids, I can coach you to develop structures/routines for children with ADHD and anxiety.
What To Expect From Our Work Together
Parenting can be overwhelming at any stage—and when you’re exhausted, anxious, or not feeling like yourself, it’s easy to lose sight of your needs. I offer a safe, supportive space where you can show up as you are—tired, messy, and real. I work with parents navigating postpartum stress, identity shifts, guilt, and the mental load of caregiving. I also support clients facing anxiety, depression, perfectionism, ADHD, and life changes. My style is warm, relational, and solution-focused. Together, we’ll work toward balance, clarity, and a more sustainable life. My goal is to help you feel grounded, empowered, and fully yourself again.
As a mom and therapist, I truly get how hard it is to care for yourself while caring for others. I specialize in working with parents of infants and toddlers, and I coach parents of older kids and teens navigating anxiety, ADHD, and big emotions. I bring honesty, empathy, and practical strategies to help you find relief and reconnect with what matters.
Before becoming a therapist, I taught high school and coached competitive sports for over 10 years. I understand the pressure kids face in school and sports—and how overwhelming it can be for parents. I’ll help you navigate the school system, reduce stress, and support your child’s confidence. Let’s create a plan that helps your family thrive.
What You Need to Know About Me
I have been through my own fair share of challenges—burnout after a decade of teaching high school and coaching competitive sports, navigating postpartum health struggles, and learning how to reorient my life and career along the way. I intimately understand how it feels to merely survive and not thrive. It has not been easy, but all of my challenges have taught me how important it is to reconnect with my values and to prioritize what really matters. Spending time with my husband, two kids, and friends has helped me find balance, explore new passions like tennis, pickleball, and yoga, and rediscover a commitment to building a life that is rooted in my desire for genuine connection, self-care, honesty, empathy, and growth.
I grew up in the Chicago suburbs, attended college in Colorado, and earned my degrees in English and Film Studies before pursuing my Master of Arts in Clinical Social Work from the University of Chicago. I completed my clinical training at Compass Health Center and have worked as a therapist in private practice with children and teenagers (ages 4-18) and their parents. My therapeutic approach is rooted in psychodynamic and client-centered principles, and I am extensively trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). When I’m not working, you’ll probably find me chasing my toddlers around, trying to catch up on sleep, or unwinding on my couch with my dog and a good book.