Rate Emay Wessner

My name is Emay Wessner and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. I have been practicing since 2015. Over the last few years, I’ve practiced as a mental health therapist, primary care social worker, mobile therapist, therapeutic support staff, crisis clinician, and a behavioral specialist consultant. I received my Master’s Degree in Social Work (MSW) from University of Pittsburgh from Pittsburgh, PA in 2015. I also received my Bachelor’s Degree (BSW) from University of Pittsburgh from Pittsburgh, PA in 2014. My clients include children, adolescents, families, and adults. I have worked in community mental health settings, child and family agencies, community health, and inpatient hospitals. I utilize a variety of techniques drawn from recognized therapeutic modalities. I am certified in multiple modalities treating depression, PTSD, anxiety, and substance abuse.

I am certified in cognitive processing therapy to treat PTSD. Cognitive processing therapy (CPT) is a specific type of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) developed to treat posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). CPT helps identify, address, and challenge any negative or unhelpful thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that may arise after a traumatic event. With CPT therapy, survivors of trauma can better understand and evaluate the underlying beliefs that motivate their feelings and behaviors.

I am certified in motivational interviewing and motivational enhancement therapy that treats substance abuse. Motivational enhancement therapy (MET) is a directive, person-centered approach to therapy that focuses on improving an individual's motivation to change. Those who engage in self-destructive behaviors may often be ambivalent or have little motivation to change such behaviors, despite acknowledging the negative impact of said behaviors on health, family life, or social functioning. A therapist trained in MET can often help an individual to view behaviors more objectively, and through MET, an individual may become empowered to begin the process of change.

I am also certified in interpersonal therapy for depression (IPT-D). IPT, is an empirically validated, time-limited form of psychotherapy (lasting between 12 and 16 sessions duration) designed to treat depression and depressive symptoms. Unlike CBT, Interpersonal Therapy is not a behavior therapy, coming instead from more psychodynamic and social-learning traditions. Instead of focusing on correcting dysfunctional thoughts, IPT focuses on understanding how personal relationships can cause someone to become depressed or make worse already existing depressive symptoms. The IPT approach shifts blame from the patient onto the illness and to some degree, onto the patients' interpersonal situation.