About Dr. Emma Nowicki

Hi, I’m Dr. Emma Nowicki, a licensed clincial psychologist in Washington, DC.

I help students and young professionals just like you. I am passionate about helping my clients get to a place in life where they feel like they are thriving.

Pronouns: she/her/hers

You don’t have to keep struggling alone.

Education & Credentials

Degrees

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Psychology from Boston College

Master of Psychology (M.Psy.) from the George Washington University

Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) from the George Washington University

Licensure

District of Columbia Psychologist

Authority to Practice Interjurisdictional Telepsychology (APIT) Granted by the PSYPACT Commission

My Integrative Therapy Approach

I take a flexible approach to therapy where I tailor my techniques to each client’s unique needs. I value collaboration and strive to help my clients reach their goals.

  • Our early life experiences impact the patterns we have in our adult life. By understanding why you think, feel, and behave the way you do, you can have more agency and choice in your life. With increased insight into the origins of your concerns, you can live more authentically and increase your self-compassion.

  • Empathy, genuineness, and a non-judgmental perspective are at the center of my therapeutic relationships. I respect my clients for trying their best to manage the difficulties they face in life.

  • People often struggle emotionally when they feel disconnected from others. In therapy, I provide a safe space where you can be accepted for being your authentic self and practice being vulnerable. By experiencing a deeper connection in therapy, you are able to strengthen your other relationships.

  • A person’s cultural background influences their beliefs, perspectives, and traditions. Therapy is not one-size-fits-all. Treatment goals change depending on individual needs and preferences. I respect differences in values, opinions, and worldviews.

  • Traditional therapy approaches focus on helping clients who are suffering return to their normal functioning. Techniques from positive psychology help clients surpass their normal baseline and find more satisfaction in life. Getting beyond surviving to a place of thriving involves experiencing positive emotion, engagement, and meaning. We are able to flourish when we feel connected and accomplished.

  • CBT tools help you to understand the connection between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. While I do not provide comprehensive CBT, I incorporate some CBT technqiues to help clients challenge unhelpful thinking styles and change unwanted behaviors.

  • DBT skills can help you tolerate distress, regulate emotions, communicate effectively, and be mindful of the present moment. Even though I do not provide formal DBT, I teach some DBT skills to help clients create a life worth living.

Diversity Statement

Our identities and the intersectionality of our identities impact how we interact in the world. I am committed to affirming diversity and providing culturally sensitive treatment. I invite conversations about diversity in the therapy room. As a white therapist, I recognize my own privilege and take a stance of cultural humility.  I believe that multicultural competence is a continuous process that requires self-reflection and education. I am dedicated to increasing my knowledge on race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, and physical abilities.

Prior to opening my own practice, I trained in a variety of mental health settings in the DC metropolitan area.

Postdoctoral Fellowships

Georgetown University Counseling and Psychiatric Service

Betsy Mencher, PhD, PLLC (Group Practice)

Doctoral Internship

American University Counseling Center

Doctoral Externships

DC Superior Court Child Guidance Clinic

Holy Trinity School

Howard University Middle School

Creative Minds International Public Charter School

George Washington University Center Clinic

George Mason University Counseling and Psychological Services

My Private Practice

I opened Blossom Psychological Services, PLLC to help individuals in the DC area utilize therapy as a tool to reach their full potential. In naming my private practice, I was inspired by the cherry blossoms. Blossoms represent a peak period of development. In Washington, DC, we are reminded every spring by the cherry blossoms that we can flourish even after difficult winters. Whether it’s helping clients get through a dark period of time or helping clients thrive in their daily lives, I cherish helping people come into their own.

Blossom Psychological Services Office in Washington, DC

I may be a good fit for you as a therapist if you:

  • Are looking for a therapist who is gentle and at the same time will empathically challenge you

  • Desire to understand why you do what you do

  • Want to get beyond your normal functioning to a place where you feel like you are thriving

  • Would like a therapist who is passionate about her job and cares deeply for the people she works with

  • Are eager to change but don’t know how to start

I partner with my therapy dog in training, Carlie, to help patients manage mental health concerns.

Let’s chat together to see if we are a good fit.