Emma Clark, MSW, LSW, PMH-C

While pursuing her Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology and Global Women’s Studies, Emma came across a local birth doula training and decided to enroll. The training ignited a passion for perinatal health that Emma continues to follow. As a doula, Emma has supported a variety of parents through medicated, unmedicated, hospital, and birth center births. After graduating,  Emma worked for two years as a maternal and child health specialist for young refugee families resettling in the United States as they navigated fertility, pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. Supporting refugee and immigrant families continues to be a passion for her.

Emma is a graduate of the University of Chicago Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice, where she earned a Master’s degree in Social Work and a certificate in U.S. Health Policy. Emma spent her degree studying how to support perinatal people and young children through coursework, research projects, clinical internships, and certification in Perinatal Mental Health through Postpartum Support International. As a therapist, she uses acceptance and mindfulness approaches (primarily ACT and DBT modalities) to increase clients’ capacity to be present with emotions and cope with the inevitable challenges of the perinatal period. She is also trained in Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET) for perinatal trauma. She welcomes discussions of religion and spirituality in session for clients who value these, and enjoys incorporating research into sessions to help clients contextualize their experiences and access helpful resources.

Emma is experienced in working with a variety of perinatal experiences, including perinatal OCD, birth trauma, grief and loss, parenting young children, pre-conception, birth preparation, relationship strain, fathers and non-birthing partners navigating the perinatal period, and more. She is also interested in supporting birth workers and health professionals as they navigate the emotional demands and challenges of their work. As a social worker by training, Emma is rooted in social justice values and is passionate about providing skillful, affirming care to LGBTQIA+ individuals and families and others from historically marginalized communities. Emma is thrilled to be part of the PMHC Chicago team and to continue deepening her work with perinatal people. Reach out to schedule today!