HI, I’M EMILY DUNLEAVY.

Emily Dunleavy Marriage Sex Therapist Counselor

Let’s find healing in all aspects of your life.

I work with individuals, couples, and families who want to make sense of distressing behaviors and find meaningful solutions to conflict.

WHAT THERAPY WITH ME IS LIKE

My approach aims at helping you quiet your
inner critic and create peace out of chaos.

I'm all about creating a safe, judgment-free zone where you can unpack out-of-control feelings, thoughts, and fears.

I've worked with people from all walks of life—individuals, couples, families, you name it. From tackling depression to navigating tricky relationships, I've got your back. I have experience in outpatient, partial hospitalization, and intensive outpatient settings. Let create a safe space together to explore your feelings, thoughts, and fears.

Navigating life's complexities can be daunting, but you don’t have to do it alone. Let's team up, rediscover your true self, and build a life that feels like home. Together, we'll rewrite your story—one filled with resilience, connection, and a whole lot of self-love. Ready to dive in?

Marriage Sex Therapist Counselor Relationships

Relational Difficulties

SPECIALIZING IN:

Sexual Concerns

Trauma Recovery

These are additional areas in which I have experience and focus on in my practice. Do any of these resonate with you? Perhaps you recognize yourself in some of these signs but hadn't previously identified them as areas of struggle.
Regardless, you're in the right place.

LET’S MAKE SENSE OF YOUR STORY AND FIND RELIEF FROM YOUR PAIN.

Additional
Areas

  • Signs you may be experiencing this include:

    -Low motivation
    -Less enjoyment in things you previously really liked
    -Guilt and/or self-criticism
    -Less energy than usual
    -Life feels more grey and dull than before.
    -Find it hard to get out of bed, shower, eat, or go to work.
    -Frequent or random crying spells
    -Numb and disconnected
    -Irritability

  • Signs you may be experiencing this include:

    -Excessive worry
    -Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
    -Panic attacks
    -Spiraling thoughts that become overwhelming
    -Consistently thinking of “worst case” scenarios
    -Increased muscle tension, such as tightness in neck or back
    -Gastrointestinal issues, such as stomach pains, acid reflux, or nausea
    -Physical symptoms such as, shortness of breath, heart racing, chest pain, sweating, dizziness, sweating, trembling, or feeling of choking

  • Signs you may be experiencing this include:

    -Distressing or unwanted memories of a traumatic event or difficult experience
    -Persistent difficult emotions such as fear, horror, anger, guilt, or shame.
    -Feeling as if it is your fault or you are responsible
    -Replaying the event or experience over and over again in your mind
    -Nightmares
    -Feeling emotionally numb or emotionally out of control
    -Being easily startled or feeling "on edge"
    -Difficulty sleeping
    -Hypervigilance (being overly alert to potential threats)
    -Physical symptoms that are not explained by physiological problems (such as: unexplained headaches, digestive issues, immunity problems, frequent illnesses, or delayed/absent menstrual cycle)
    -Frequent crying spells
    -Anger and irritability

  • Signs you may be experiencing this include:

    -Headaches, muscle tension, fatigue, stomach issues, or changes in appetite.
    -Irritability, anxiety, feeling overwhelmed, or having difficulty relaxing.
    -Racing thoughts, difficulty concentrating, memory problems, or indecisiveness.
    -Changes in sleep patterns, overeating or undereating, increased use of substances (alcohol, drugs), or withdrawing from social activities.
    -Feeling emotionally drained, physically exhausted, and lacking energy, even after a good night's sleep.
    -Feeling incompetent or like you're not making a difference despite your efforts.
    -Heightened frustration, impatience, or a short temper with coworkers, clients, or family members.
    -Feeling detached from work, colleagues, or personal relationships. Developing a cynical or negative attitude toward work-related activities.
    -Decreased productivity, difficulty concentrating, or feeling ineffective in carrying out tasks.

  • Signs you may be experiencing this include:

    -Fatigue and low energy levels
    -Changes in appetite, which may lead to weight loss or gain or sleep changes
    -Aches and pains, such as headaches or muscle tension or a weakened immune system, leading to frequent illnesses
    -Feeling anguish, empty, or a sense of numbness. Or feeling shock and disbelief, especially immediately after the loss
    -Feeling guilt or regret about things left unsaid or undone. Or feeling anger or resentment, either toward oneself, others, or the situation
    -Loneliness or a sense of isolation
    -Preoccupation with thoughts of the deceased or the loss
    -Confusion, disorientation, or forgetfulness
    -Withdrawing from activities or others
    -Restlessness or agitation, and irritability or hostility toward others
    -Engaging in behaviors to numb the pain, such as substance abuse or excessive spending
    -Questioning your beliefs or faith

  • Signs you may be experiencing this include:

    -Criticizing yourself, focusing on flaws or mistakes, and speaking negatively to self.
    -Feeling unworthy, unlovable, or inherently flawed, regardless of achievements or positive feedback from others.
    -Setting excessively high standards for yourself and feeling inadequate or ashamed when unable to meet them.
    -Feeling as if something is wrong with you, or you are defective.
    -Constantly seeking approval or validation from others, often at the expense of one's own needs and values.
    -Struggling to assert personal boundaries, saying no, or advocating for yourself due to fear of conflict or rejection.

  • Signs you may be experiencing this include:

    -Having trouble saying no or asserting boundaries, often at the expense of your own needs and well-being.
    -Feeling responsible for other people's emotions, behaviors, or problems, and constantly trying to fix or rescue them.
    -Having an intense fear of rejection, abandonment, or being alone, which can lead to staying in unhealthy or abusive relationships.
    -Struggling to identify and express your own emotions, often due to a focus on others' feelings and needs.
    -Engaging in behaviors that enable or perpetuate destructive patterns in others, such as covering up for their mistakes or bearing their consequences.

  • Signs you may be experiencing this include:

    -Struggling to establish healthy boundaries with family members.
    -Finding it hard to communicate openly and honestly within your family.
    -Disliking or feeling unsure or about your role within the family structure.
    -Engaging in dependent relationship patterns within the family.
    -Holding onto past conflicts or resentments.
    -Feeling a lack of independence or control over one's decisions.
    -Repeating learned dysfunctional behaviors within one's own family.
    -Struggling to develop a clear sense of self separate from the family.

  • Signs you may be experiencing this include:

    -Unwanted sexual behaviors
    -Difficulty achieving or maintaining arousal or interest in sexual activity.
    -Experiencing pain or discomfort during sexual intercourse.
    -Low sexual desire or libido, leading to a lack of interest in sexual activity.
    -Sexual trauma or violation which impacts healthy sexual function
    -Performance anxiety or fear of sexual inadequacy.
    -Feeling shame, guilt, or embarrassment related to sexual thoughts or behaviors.
    -Avoidance of sexual intimacy or withdrawal from sexual relationships.
    -Experiencing conflicts or disagreements with a partner regarding sexual preferences, desires, or frequency of sexual activity.

Education &
Credentials

  • Licensed Professional Counselor Associate

  • Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Associate

  • Supervised by Chelsey Kinney, LPC-S,
    and Keith Cobern, PhD, LPC-S, LMFT-S

  • Master of Arts in Professional Counseling from Dallas Baptist University

  • Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Dallas Baptist University

  • Informed in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)

  • Informed in Internal Family Systems (IFS)

Certifications, Advanced Trainings, & Continuing Education

The Power of Polyvagal Theory
Dr. Stephen Porges & Peter A. Levine, PhD., 2024

Sexual Attachment Conference: Understanding Your Sexual Story
Jay Stringer, LMHC, & Adam Young, LCSW, 2024

Body Talks: How to Talk to Your Children about Body Image, Sex, and Porn
Heather Stringer, LMHC & Jay Stringer, LMHC, 2024

Implementing HIPAA & Technology Assisted Services
Rhonda Johnson, PhD, LPC-S, LMFT-S, RPT-S, 2024

Trauma & Attachment: Effective Treatment Strategies for Helping Challenging Clients
Terry M. Levy, PhD, DAPA, 2020

FEATURED IN

On a Personal Note

I love playing pickleball with my husband, reading fiction books, doing yoga, and watching nature documentaries.
I am a Christian and am happy to incorporate Christian beliefs into your sessions, if you wish. Additionally, I enjoy working with clients of diverse religious, spiritual, or non-religious beliefs. 

Your needs matter, too.

Your needs
matter, too.

book free intro call

book free intro call