Emily Kirby

Qualifications & Experience

I hold a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication with an emphasis in Public Relations from Louisiana State University and a Master of Divinity in Psychology and Counseling from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. I am also certified in Prepare and Enrich Premarital Counseling and have completed Exposure and Prevention Response training (for OCD, anxiety, panic) and Grief Counseling training.

My Call to Christian Counseling

I felt called into ministry during college. I didn’t know what type of ministry I would be doing, but I thought seminary training would be helpful. It was there, in the midst of lots of different circumstances, that I changed from a general divinity degree to the counseling department. I wasn’t sure if I would do counseling as a career or just use those skills in a church setting. Once I started my student internship, I loved it and never looked back!

More About Me/On a Personal Note

I love to bake and have even had a side hustle of making custom cakes and cookies. I also love to watch sports, particularly LSU football and baseball. Geaux Tigers! My family and I enjoy watching reruns of old TV shows and looking at silly YouTube videos. I also love being outside and being in nature. Butterflies are my favorite!

Areas of Expertise/Specialties

• Abandonment and Neglect
• ADHD
• Aging and Geriatric Issues
• Anger Management
• Anxiety
• Bipolar Disorder
• Coaching
• Counseling for Children
• Counseling for Teens
• Couples Counseling
• Codependency
• Depression
• Eating Disorders
• Family Counseling
• Grief and Loss
• Individual Counseling
• Infidelity and Affairs
• Lifespan Integration
• Marriage Counseling
• Men’s Issues
• OCD
• Online Counseling
• Personal Development
• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
• Premarital Counseling
• Professional Development
• Sexual Abuse
• Spiritual Development
• Trauma
• Weight Loss
• Women’s Issues

Grief

Grief is something we will all experience in life. It is not something we can take a pill for or undergo a procedure to get rid of. It is a process that takes time and work. I will walk with you through this difficult season, explaining a typical grieving process and the nuances that go along with this unique time. I will laugh and cry with you and, over time, help you regain a sense of normalcy in your life.

OCD

OCD is a cycle of having unwanted thoughts and fears and trying to ease stress through rituals. It can be very disruptive to a person’s daily activities and is often accompanied by shame and embarrassment. I will help you know that you are not alone and be a support to you. I use Exposure Response Prevention to ease these obsessions and compulsions. ERP helps retrain your brain by gradually facing anxiety triggers without turning to rituals.

Premarital Counseling

Marriage is a wonderful gift from God, but it also takes a lot of work. I help engaged or seriously dating couples explore eight main topics before they tie the knot: Communication, sex, money, children, roles, family of origin, in-laws, and religion/spirituality. Couples don’t always have to agree on these topics, but it is important to know what to expect. I also help couples form good habits before marriage so they can start off on a good foundation.

Personal Development/Coaching

Often in counseling we focus on brokenness that occurred in the past. In coaching, we focus on achieving your potential and help you get where you desire to be in life. It is goal-oriented and future-focused. This comes through goal setting, looking at habits, and achieving a more balanced lifestyle.

Women’s Issues

Women have been created uniquely by God. We have been given the incredible privilege of being able to bear children. This wonderful privilege often brings many challenges and heartache, such as fertility issues, miscarriage, postpartum depression, menopause, and much more. I want to help women walk through these difficult times using practical methods such as diet and exercise, leaning on the truth of the Bible and our Heavenly Father, and exploring medical options. I offer faith-based support during heavy seasons.

Availability (by office location):

• Allen – Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays
• Online Counseling – Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays

Fees: I offer a Risk-Free Initial Session for individuals and couples looking to pursue counseling with me. Please note that there is a fee for the Risk-Free Initial Session as it is a clinical hour and reimbursable to most insurance companies, but if you choose not to reschedule and continue therapy after the initial session, the entire fee for the session will be waived. For ongoing treatment, the full fee per session is required at the time of service.

Insurance: As a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), some insurance companies will reimburse for a portion of my services (as an Out-of-Network Provider). Please consult with your insurance provider as to whether they specifically cover adolescents, individuals, and couples.

Receipts/Statements: In the event you require a printed or digital receipt, I will provide receipts for personal use, insurance reimbursement, Flex Spending Accounts (FSA), and Health Savings Accounts (HSA).

Payment options: Cash, Check, or Credit Card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, & American Express). A fee of up to 4% per transaction may be added for credit card payments.