Emily Materdo

Compassionate, collaborative care for complex stressors

LCSW North Carolina

Experience: 13 years in practice
Focus areas: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Bipolar
Approaches: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Languages: English

About Emily

Emily Materdo is an LCSW with 13 years of clinical and medical social work experience who helps people navigate stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, bipolar disorder, depression, and compassion fatigue. She brings a person-centered, collaborative stance that emphasizes clients' strengths while addressing complex mental health and life challenges.

Background and approach

Her work often includes supporting concerns related to attachment, family-of-origin patterns, caregiver stress, chronic illness and pain, end-of-life situations, and a range of mood-related difficulties. In sessions she blends evidence-informed techniques with an empathetic, practical orientation.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) feature alongside attachment-based and dialectical methods to help clients shift unhelpful thoughts, build emotional regulation skills, and clarify values-driven goals. Emily values creating an inviting therapeutic space where clients can explore how home and community environments shaped current patterns and where collaboration guides goal setting and problem solving.

Based in North Carolina, she draws on experience across clinical and medical settings to support adults at different life stages. Her aim is to help people cultivate self-compassion, consider new perspectives on their difficulties, and take concrete steps toward the changes they want to make.

Therapeutic approaches for online care and flexible delivery

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thoughts and behaviors to reduce symptoms like anxiety or depression. It offers practical tools for skill-building and problem solving that can be practiced between sessions. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people clarify their values, accept difficult emotions, and take committed action toward a meaningful life, which can be useful for chronic stress, mood difficulties, and caregiving burnout. Attachment-Based Therapy explores how early relationships shape current patterns and supports people in developing healthier ways of relating to themselves and others.

Finding the right combination of approaches is part of the therapeutic process, and this therapist works collaboratively with clients to determine which methods fit their needs, goals, and preferences. Together they assess progress and adjust strategies so treatment remains responsive and relevant.

Online therapy options include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to provide more flexibility for scheduling and daily life demands. These formats can make it easier to access consistent support from licensed professionals, accommodate caregiving or work responsibilities, and maintain continuity of care across different circumstances.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does Emily commonly address?

She works with stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, bipolar disorder, depression, and compassion fatigue, and also focuses on related issues like caregiver stress, chronic illness, codependency, and family of origin concerns.

How would you describe her therapeutic style?

Her style is collaborative and person-centered, emphasizing an inviting space where clients are viewed as experts on their lives and work together with the therapist to set and reach meaningful goals.

What is her professional background?

She has 13 years of clinical and medical social work experience, bringing experience from a range of care settings and with clients across different adult life stages.

What credentials and location are listed for this therapist?

She is an LCSW with license number NC LCSW C017661 and practices in North Carolina.

Which languages are available and can she work with international clients?

Sessions are offered in English, and she is not currently accepting international clients.

What session formats does she provide?

Clients can meet through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging depending on their preference and availability.

How is cost handled for therapy with her?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.

What are the steps to begin working with this therapist?

To get started, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule sessions according to the therapist's availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, Anxiety Trauma and abuseBipolar disorderDepression Compassion fatigue

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentAging and geriatric issuesAttachment issuesBlended family issuesCancerCaregiver issues and stressChronic pain, illness, and disabilityCodependencyCommunication problemsDisruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)EmptinessFamily of origin issuesFirst responder issuesGuilt and shameHospice and end-of-life counselingImmigration issuesIsolation / lonelinessLife purposeMidlife crisisMood disordersMulticultural concernsPost-traumatic stressSeasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-harmSelf-loveWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Attachment-Based TherapyClient-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)Mindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingNarrative TherapySolution-Focused TherapySomatic TherapyTrauma-Focused TherapyInternal Family Systems

Experience

13+ years

Licensed

North Carolina

Languages

English