Dr. Emily Ferrara, LPC, CPCS

Growing up in a society where individuals faced their struggles with a forced “I’m fine,” Emily desired to create a space where clients can learn to be vulnerable with themselves and others while using their current challenges to be the catalyst for growth and greater authenticity.

My Story:

Hello! I’m Emily Ferrara. I’m the founder and director of Simplify Life Counseling + Coaching. My journey to becoming a therapist came from my own lived experiences as a child who struggled with undiagnosed social anxiety and OCD along with chronic medical issues. I can remember feeling stuck in constant mental anxiety loops but never having a way to name or address them. Feeling ashamed that I couldn’t “think” or pray or do my way out of it, I learned to perform and achieve to feel better, but it was never enough. And even though I didn’t have the answers, I longed to break free from anxiety’s prison. In my 20’s I learned about my specific diagnosis and the best treatments for it. Receiving this information gave me hope and a desire to help others so that they don’t have to struggle like I did for so many years. I’ve devoted my life’s work to researching, understanding, and addressing clinical anxiety in kids, teens, and adults so they too can live with greater freedom!

How I Work:

While having a diagnosis is helpful, it’s not your identity! In therapy, it’s really important that you feel like a unique person, not a number and not just your diagnosis. As your therapist, using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), I serve as a guide who helps you learn about the connection between your brain, feelings, negative thought patterns, and behaviors. By using assessments to gauge progress, I love when clients can confidently see their progress over our time of working together. And whether it’s a teen or an adult, I am doing a good job when I’m ultimately out of a job. Meaning, I want to give you the tools you need to succeed and then implement them in your everyday life and relationships.

About Emily:

When I’m not counseling, I’m usually with my extroverted husband and very active daughter either having dance parties in our home, watching Bluey, or going to the park. My husband and daughter keep me on my toes and laughing more times than not. Working out, going to church and spending time with friends/family are other activities that refill my cup throughout the week. My husband is an avid marathon runner so when we can, I love traveling to different cities or countries to cheer him on and sightsee too!

Emily’s Favorite Resources:

• Freeing Your Child from Anxiety: Powerful, Practical Solutions to Overcome Your Child’s Fears, Worries, and Phobias
• Untangled: Guiding Teenage Girls Through the Seven Transitions into Adulthood
• Raising an Emotionally Intelligent Child: The Heart of Parenting
• Changes That Heal: Four Practical Steps to a Happier, Healthier You
• The Anxiety and Worry Workbook: The Cognitive Behavioral Solution
• Are My Kids on Track?: The 12 Emotional, Social, and Spiritual Milestones Your Child Needs to Reach
• Brain Lock: Free Yourself from Obsessive-Compulsive Behavior

• Bachelor of Arts in Human Development and Family Studies with a Child Life Therapy Concentration from Samford University
• Masters of Arts in Counseling from Dallas Theological Seminary
• PhD in Christian Counseling from International University

• How to Tell the Difference Between Stress and Anxiety
• When Mindfulness Isn’t Enough: Why OCD Requires Expert ERP Therapy
• Giving Back
• OCD: It’s not just in your head
• From Comparison to Confidence: How Parents Can Help Themselves and Their Families Overcome Negative Self-Talk
• “Mayhem”
• How Gratitude Can Help You Through Hard Times
• When Helping Hurts- For Family Members of those with OCD
• Why Self-Compassion Is Essential When Reflecting on the Year
• Holiday Wishes from Simplify Life Counseling & Coaching
• Post-Election Anxiety: Coping Strategies for a Stress-Free Holiday Season
• Living Generously and Giving Back
• What is CBT Therapy?
• Part Two: Anxious Generation – Now What? (Book Recs)
• Academic coaching helps students transition well as college freshman
• Faith, God, and OCD
• Secrets of Perfection
• Social Media and Your Mental Health
• 3 Tips for Working at Home with Young Children
• Tips for Anxiety to Feel Less Scary