Hi there! You can call me Em (they/them).

Queer, non-binary femme, social worker, Texan, coffee enthusiast, & recovering perfectionist.

Credentials

• Em Manning, Licensed Master Social Worker, Texas: #113230; Supervised by Joan Long, LCSW-S Texas: #52016

• M.S. in Social Work from The University of Texas at Austin

• B.A. in Feminist Studies from Southwestern University

• EMDR (basic training in progress)

I believe the relationship between therapist and client can be profoundly healing in itself. I draw from attachment theory, Interpersonal Neurobiology (IPNB), mindfulness, and parts work to co-create a compassionate, nurturing space where you feel empowered and affirmed. I treasure moments of attuned connection with clients—whether through shared laughter, reflective silence, or the process of repairing the inevitable bumps along the way.

Authenticity and connection are at the heart of my therapy work.

As a social worker, I approach therapy through a lens of anti-oppression, cultural humility, and a person-in-environment perspective. I recognize the profound impact of systemic harm—particularly racism, homophobia, transphobia, ableism, fatphobia, and capitalism—on our personal and collective mental health. I also acknowledge the harmful legacy of the therapy field itself. In our work together, I aim to challenge traditional power dynamics. I see myself as a collaborative partner in your journey, helping you tap into your own power and intuitive healing.

Much of my work centers on helping clients untangle relational patterns rooted in early attachment wounds. Whether you're showing up as an individual or with a partner, we’ll explore how those early experiences continue to shape your current relationships—and how you can move toward greater connection, authenticity, and repair. I blend warmth and directness to create space that invites both safety and stretch, helping you and your partner(s) strengthen trust in your ability to navigate conflict and repair connection.

I’m especially passionate about working with queer couples and relationships—including those in non-traditional structures—who are navigating communication challenges, rebuilding trust after betrayal or infidelity, struggling with intimacy, or longing for deeper emotional and physical connection. I primarily draw from Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), a compassionate, research-supported approach that helps partners explore the underlying emotions shaping their interactions. EFT guides us in uncovering and transforming the patterns that keep you feeling stuck. In session, we’ll slow things down to better understand what’s happening beneath the surface, making room for new ways of relating that feel more connected, responsive, and secure.

I specialize in working with trauma and am currently completing training in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), with completion anticipated by June 2025. I support clients navigating a range of traumatic experiences, including interpersonal trauma, childhood abuse and neglect, sexual and relationship violence, and the ongoing impacts of systemic harm. I believe each person carries an internal treatment plan—your system already holds the wisdom it needs to heal. Through EMDR, parts work, and somatic awareness, I help clients reconnect with that inner guidance, build a more compassionate relationship with their internal world, and strengthen their connection to the body. Because trauma lives in the body, our work often involves deepening your relationship with your nervous system—learning to recognize its signals and respond with curiosity, care, and compassion.

I’m also deeply committed to supporting queer, trans, and gender-diverse clients, especially within the context of ongoing systemic harm and political violence—particularly here in Texas. I strive to offer a space where survival, resistance, and joy can coexist. For those seeking gender-affirming care letters, I offer a limited number of no-cost assessment spots each month, filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

Other areas of focus in my practice include identity exploration, life transitions, social anxiety, and perfectionism.

Ready to connect? Learn more about working with me at the bottom of this page.

Let’s Get Personal

A little about me – I was born and begrudgingly raised in Texas, as evidenced by my enthusiastic use of the word "y'all" (hey, it's inclusive!). Over the years, I've come to see Texas as my home. I believe in the creativity and resilience of our communities, and I refuse to discount the south. After graduating from Southwestern University with a B.A. in Feminist Studies, I spent several years doing reproductive justice work before transitioning to the tech industry for longer than I'd care to admit. Over time, my personal experiences in therapy sparked a passion for mental health, and I felt called to become a therapist. I earned my Master’s Degree in Social Work from The University of Texas at Austin. Before working at Sanctuary Counseling, I provided individual and group therapy, as well as crisis intervention, to undergraduate and graduate students at the University of Texas Counseling and Mental Health Center. When I’m not seeing clients, I love experimenting in the kitchen, practicing joyful movement, spending quality time with my spouse and close friends, and starring in my own at-home fashion shows.