Emily Alkema

Emily is a Licensed Associate Counselor. She graduated in 2023 with a Master of Science in
Counseling from John Brown University. Emily also completed graduate coursework with
Auburn University’s Marriage and Family Therapy program in 2012-2013. Additionally, Emily
holds a Master in Divinity from Southern Methodist University and a Bachelor of Arts in Social
Work from Auburn University. Emily has completed the Externship in Emotionally Focused
Couples Therapy and uses a systemic lens in working with clients.
Emily believes that life is inevitably full of transition, challenges, losses, and even failure, which
are as much a part of life as joy, success, contentment, and fulfillment. Rather than thinking of
people as “sick,” Emily sees her clients as simply being “stuck” or “stumped” by what they are
experiencing. Emily desires to help her clients discover a redemptive path forward fitting to
them and to support them in taking new steps towards their goals. She aims to provide a
listening ear, steady encouragement, and knowledgable presence alongside clients as they
navigate their unique journey with dignity, adaptability, hope, and resilience.
Emily works with older adolescents, young adults, and adults across a variety of mental health
issues, as well as life events and transitions.  She has a special interest in promoting healthy
relationships. Emily works with individuals, as well as couples, families, single parents, and
stepparents.
Prior to transitioning into the counseling field, Emily served in pastoral ministry for almost two
decades, with fifteen of those years serving college students. Thus, she is quite at home
engaging a client’s faith perspective as a part of therapy, when this is the client’s desire.  She is
also very comfortable with crises of faith as well as relating to clients totally disinterested in
religion.
Emily is originally from Collierville, TN, but has lived in Northwest Arkansas for a decade.
Outside of the office, Emily cherishes her time with her husband and extended family. She
enjoys caring for the environment through community cleanups, growing blooming things,
cooking good food, taking in live music, and dancing her heart out at Zumba.