Get to Know Emarie Drake, LICSW, LCSW - Part 2

How do you work to create a space where clients feel truly seen and safe?

“I aim to create a space where clients can bring their full selves, including the parts that feel clear and the parts that you don’t yet understand. I do this by listening without judgment, honoring boundaries, and moving at a pace that feels right for each person. Safety, to me, is built through trust, openness, and ongoing collaboration.”

How do you tailor therapy to each individual client?

“I use several evidence-based modalities, but my work is influenced primarily by Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Internal Family Systems therapy (IFS). I also incorporate mindfulness-based techniques to help clients reconnect with their bodies, regulate their nervous systems, and build greater self-awareness. This blend of modalities offers a balance of both practical tools for building emotional regulation and interpersonal skills, as well as opportunities for deeper inner exploration.”

Why is representation and visibility important in mental health care?

"Representation and visibility matter in mental health care because feeling understood often begins with feeling seen. When clients can see themselves reflected in mental health spaces, it reduces barriers to seeking care and makes it easier to show up authentically. Representation helps challenge stigma, affirms diverse identities and experiences, and supports more culturally responsive and effective care."

If a client is feeling nervous about starting therapy, what would you want them to hear from you?

“Beginning therapy can be overwhelming and daunting. Feeling nervous about starting therapy is completely normal. You don’t need to know exactly where to begin, my role is to meet you where you are so you can move at a pace that feels manageable and comfortable for you. This is a process that we will walk through together, one step at a time.”

How do you help LGBTQ+ clients explore identity?

“I support LGBTQ+ clients in exploring identity through a collaborative, client-led process. We will create space to reflect on personal experiences, values, relationships, and cultural or systemic influences, without pressure to label or define oneself in a specific way. I use affirming, trauma-informed approaches that honor identity as fluid, complex, and deeply personal.”

What would you want LGBTQ+ clients to know before starting therapy with you?

“I want LGBTQ+ clients to know that this is an affirming, respectful space where your identity is honored, not questioned or pathologized. Therapy with me is collaborative and trauma-informed, and we can explore whatever feels most important to you, whether that’s identity, relationships, mental health, family dynamics, or simply navigating day-to-day life. My goal is to support you in feeling safe, understood, and empowered to live in alignment with your values.”

Emarie Drake, LICSW, LCSW is a therapist who sees clients in our DC office as well as telehealth. She provides compassionate, affirming care to teens, adults, college students, and young adults navigating anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, relationship challenges, and life transitions. She has specialized expertise working with members of the LGBTQ+ community and is committed to creating a safe, inclusive space where clients can explore identity, gender, and relationships with authenticity and support. She believes healing begins within a strong, collaborative therapeutic relationship and strives to foster a space where clients feel seen, understood, and empowered to build insight, resilience, and meaningful change.