Em Wolyniec, MHP

I have been someone that feels deeply my entire life. I have always found myself interested in storytelling, emotional processing, and relational healing. I see how difficult our world makes it to feel things like grief, self-love, and other complex emotions and coping with life’s heartbreaks often requires additional support. I believe we deserve lives and relationships that make us feel cared for, capable, and connected. I was drawn to becoming a therapist because I want people to have more opportunities to feel and remedy their pain. Because I believe healing happens in relationship to ourselves, community, and the world around us, I chose to pursue becoming a therapist. My own life experiences have shown me the value of having a caring community, and I see therapy as a part of that.

My previous career as a teacher and youth worker have taught me how to support many different kinds of people and families going through incredibly difficult life challenges. Teaching and learning from young people gave me an awareness of the unique life path each of us walks. I absolutely loved my time as a teacher, but classroom teaching didn’t allow me to engage with people in the ways I really wanted to. And while I will always be passionate about the well-being of children, I knew I wanted to provide thoughtful care at a slower pace. I see a world where children feel safe and grow into caring adults. My time in the classroom taught me that parents and families are in need of significant support beyond what they have available to them. To help create more robust systems of support, I moved toward the field of Marriage and Family Therapy.

I am especially focused on offering queer people space where expansive relationships are embraced and centered. Whether that means exploring sexuality or gender identity, building relationships outside of traditional norms, or protecting your well-being from the world’s cruelty, I offer affirming and supportive care. I am also passionate about supporting parents in managing family life and continuing to nourish themselves throughout parenthood.

In our time together, I will offer an attentive presence and sit with your pain as you move through it at your pace. I love to laugh and find humor and creativity to be incredibly valuable in the therapeutic process. We will work well together if you appreciate direct communication and honest feedback. My approach includes somatic practices, compassionate reflection, and systemic thinking. I believe in collective liberation and practice from a trauma-informed, anti-oppressive lens. I look forward to supporting clients in imagining and creating a life that feels authentic. By letting go of oppressive ideas, we can work to align your life with your values.

I am a white queer person born and raised in Minneapolis. Outside of work, I spend time with the people I love and nurture the children around me. I enjoy watching shitty tv alongside my dog, reading, and collaging my heart out.