Emily Kahn-Freedman, L.M.F.T.

ABOUT MY PRACTICE

The great psychiatrist and hypnotherapist Milton Erickson, M.D., wrote in a famous letter to colleague Jay Haley that psychotherapy is “a human relationship in which patient and therapist by a complexity of interactions strive toward a common goal, the patient’s thinking, feeling, and doing within his frame of reference as he currently understands it, and with freedom to alter current understandings.” (Dec. 7, 1959)

I love to work with people who want to find ways to change their own “thinking, feeling, and doing,” in order to make concrete improvements in their relationships and their lives. My training is in couple and family therapy as well as human sexuality (I have a master’s degree in Human Sexuality Education, and advanced training in both sex therapy and family therapy).

I believe that, as pioneer psychiatrist Dr. Milton Erickson also said, you have to “invent a new theory and a new approach for each individual.” However, it’s helpful to know that I often take a “family systems” approach, which examines how each person and relationship is affected by the interaction of family members, past and present. I am able to see multiple points of view and help family members understand one another better. I like to build on the strengths and successes rather than the weaknesses of each person or family. And in many situations I use cognitive-behavioral techniques which teach ways to change thoughts and behavior patterns. Finally, although understanding the past can be helpful at times, I feel it’s usually most useful to examine the present, and to help people figure out how to make sure the future improves on the past.

I enjoy incorporating art, music, and sand play therapy into sessions when appropriate, because nonverbal understandings can be more powerful at times than verbal ones. And I love to use hypnotherapy, in the Ericksonian style, to help people achieve their goals.

CREDENTIALS

Licenses and Certifications:

• Pennsylvania license in Marriage and Family Therapy, #MF000013
• Clinical Member, American Association of Marriage & Family Therapy
• Certified as a Sex Therapist by the American Association of Sex Educators, Counselors & Therapists (AASECT)
• Certified in Hypnotherapy by the American Society for Clinical Hypnosis (ASCH)

Education

• Family Institute of Philadelphia, 1996-1999: Clinical training program in Marriage and Family Therapy
• Temple University, January 1990-1994: completed required coursework and comprehensive examination (all but dissertation) in Ph.D. program, Health Education/Health Counseling. Awarded University Fellowship for 1990-91
• Parents Network, Fort Washington, PA: August 1993. Certified Parenting Educator
• University of Pennsylvania, May 1988: M.S.Ed. in Human Sexuality Education
• University of Massachusetts, December 1978: M.A.T. in Art Education
• University of Pennsylvania, May 1972: B.S. in Elementary Education (Magna Cum Laude)
• Numerous Continuing Education workshops, including:
• Powerful Health: The Next Level of Mind-Body Practice (Sheryll Daniel, Ph.D.), Albuquerque, NM, October 2006 (20 hours)
• Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy (Susan Johnson, Ph.D.), Ottawa Family Institute, September 2003 (40 hours)
• Milton Erickson Institute of Philadelphia, 1998-2000: 100-hour training in clinical hypnotherapy
• Linda Shrier Continuing Education, 2001, 20-hour course in clinical hypnotherapy

Professional Experience

• Private Practice (5/99 - present). Individual, couple, and family therapy as well as sex therapy. Hypnotherapy for mind-body healing
• Sexually Abusive Youth (S.A.Y.) Program of Delaware County (7/98-5/02): Individual and family therapist. Provide therapy to adolescents adjudicated for sex crimes and court-ordered to receive outpatient treatment
• Sexuality and Parenting Consultant for individuals with developmental disabilities, 1988 through 2005: Various training, counseling, and consulting assignments with agencies serving people with developmental disabilities, especially social and sexual education and counseling for mentally retarded adults
• Philadelphia Department of Public Health, 9/86 through 6/89: AIDS Educator and Counselor; Information and Resource Specialist
• Temple University, Department of Health Education, 9/89-5/91: Instructor, Introduction to Human Sexuality and Family Life Education
• University of Pennsylvania, Graduate School of Education, Spring 1985: Teaching Assistant, "Concepts in Human Sexuality."