Emily Works, LMFT

I support those who are looking for a home, who are searching for love, and who are longing for family. I believe that therapy should feel like coming home. I seek to help those looking for a sense of home within themselves and within their community. I offer unconditional love to those who have never felt fully loved. And I dig deep to help you forge safe and trusting relationships. I'm here to support you in discovering your true, authentic self. Across the lifespan, we face struggles that make it difficult to connect with ourselves, communicate honestly with our loved ones, and know what we need. I help children, adolescents, adults, and families learn what they need and how to meet those needs. We all need to feel a sense of groundedness, safety, and home within ourselves and our relationships. For those of you who feel lost or like you have fallen behind, I support you in lovingly finding your way. I specialize in working with children, teens, adults and neurodivergent youth/adults struggling with anxiety, peer relationships, and family relationships. I provide child counseling and adult relationship counseling to those in Pleasanton, Livermore, Dublin, and the Tri-Valley area. I have worked with people from a wide variety of cultures and intersectional identities, and I adjust my therapeutic approach to advocate for my clients’ specific needs. As a queer, nonbinary, and neurodivergent therapist, I offer LGBTQ+ and neurodiversity affirming therapy to both children and adults. CHILDREN/TEENS I offer play therapy, sand tray therapy, expressive arts therapy, and family therapy to support a variety of needs: developmental, systemic, and generational trauma, depression, anxiety, challenges with relationships, attachment issues, challenges with parenting, and challenging behaviors. I specialize in helping neurodivergent youth, particularly those with Autism, ADHD, and a PDA profile. I also support parents in advocating for their unique child’s developmental, emotional, and learning needs. ADULTS I connect with your inner child to creatively guide you towards healing and wholeness. I view my role as therapist as that of a kind, safe, and curious collaborator. I follow your lead to help you nurture your strengths, develop emotional awareness, process trauma, and discover your authentic self. For those who are seeking healing through modalities other than individual talk therapy, I offer play therapy, sand tray therapy, expressive arts therapy, and family therapy tailored for adults. I also support late diagnosed neurodivergent adults on their journey of understanding and accepting their neurodivergence. FAMILIES/COUPLES Our family relationships are deeply important to our development and well-being. Neurodivergent families can experience patterns of high conflict, attachment ruptures, challenges with communication, and intergenerational trauma. I assist families and couples with healing old wounds, practicing healthy communication and conflict resolution skills, and increasing moments of positive connection. ABOUT My passion for helping others grew from my 20 years of experience working with children and families. Having grown up in the Tri-Valley, I am dedicated to giving back to the community of my childhood. In addition to the fulfillment I experience in my work, I also turn to my creative endeavors to cultivate joy. I enjoy making music - I sing in a local choir, and I play the flute in a local wind ensemble. I also enjoy being in nature, reading, researching my special interests, spending time with animals, baking vegan treats, hiking, and roller skating. I love to learn and grow. I’m currently learning to play guitar, and I'm building my knowledge and understanding of all things neurodivergent. EDUCATION Antioch University Los Angeles MA, Clinical Psychology - Child Studies Specialization - 2018 California State University Northridge Bachelor of Music, Vocal Arts – 2011 TRAINING In addition to attending the trainings below, I participate in ongoing consultation with a Registered Play Therapist Supervisor and an Approved Supervisor through The American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy. Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy - 2019 Dialectical Behavioral Therapy - 2021 Sandtray used in Play Therapy with Children, Teens, and Families - 2023 The Family's Role in Treatment of Complex Trauma - 2023 OCD in Kids and Teens - 2023 AutPlay Therapy Training - 2023 Play Therapy for Anxiety, Anger, and Other Forms of Dysregulation - 2023 Introduction to Video Games in Play Therapy: Exploring Mechanics, Themes, Culture and Community - 2024 Supporting Men through Divorce and Separation - 2025 Child Centered Play Therapy Intensive - 2025 From Diagnosis to Demand Avoidance: Advancing Autism Knowledge - 2025