IFSTherapists

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LCSW

Emily Materdo, LCSW

  • Experience13 years
  • LocationNorth Carolina
  • Focus areasStress and Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, and Bipolar
  • Therapy approachesInternal Family Systems and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
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About Emily

Emily Materdo is an LCSW with 13 years of clinical and medical social work experience based in North Carolina.

Background and approach

She supports people coping with stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, bipolar disorder, depression, and compassion fatigue, and also works with concerns such as abandonment, attachment issues, caregiver stress, chronic illness and pain, and end-of-life or hospice-related needs. Her practice reflects experience across age ranges and medical settings, including work with adolescents, young adults, older adults, and disabled individuals.

Emily describes therapy as a collaborative, person-centered process. She blends internal work with practical skills by drawing from Internal Family Systems (IFS), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, attachment-based ideas, cognitive behavioral strategies, and other trauma-informed practices.

Her goal is to help clients explore how family and community environments have shaped current struggles while nurturing self-compassion and agency. In sessions she aims to create an inviting, empowering atmosphere where clients are treated as experts in their own lives.

Emily helps people reframe goals, identify actionable steps, and develop perspectives that support change and resilience while attending to both emotional processing and everyday functioning.

Online approaches that meet you where you are

Emily often blends Internal Family Systems and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in online work. Internal Family Systems involves noticing and dialoguing with different internal parts to reduce internal conflict and heal responses rooted in trauma, which can help people manage intense emotions and longstanding patterns. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy focuses on clarifying values, building acceptance of difficult thoughts and feelings, and taking committed action toward meaningful goals, a useful approach for anxiety, depression, and stress.

Deciding which approach fits best is part of the collaborative process; the therapist will work with each client to tailor methods to their goals, preferences, and needs. Over the first sessions she will explore which strategies resonate and adjust the plan so the work feels relevant and doable.

Online therapy options include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging, offering flexibility for different schedules and comfort levels. These formats make it easier to maintain continuity of care, try new skills between sessions, and access support without travel, while still engaging in reflective, process-oriented work guided by a licensed professional.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of concerns does this therapist support?
Emily works with stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, bipolar disorder, depression, and compassion fatigue, and also addresses related issues such as abandonment, attachment concerns, caregiver stress, chronic illness and pain, and end-of-life needs.
How would you describe the therapeutic approach and style?
Her style is person-centered and collaborative, combining trauma-informed practices with approaches like IFS, ACT, attachment-based work, and CBT to balance emotional exploration with practical skills.
What is her professional background and experience?
She has 13 years of clinical and medical social work experience and has worked with adolescents, young adults, older adults, and disabled individuals in a range of care settings.
What are her credentials and where is she located?
She holds the LCSW credential with license number NC LCSW C017661 and practices in North Carolina.
Which languages are available and are international clients accepted?
Sessions are offered in English and she is not currently accepting international clients.
In what formats does she offer sessions?
Therapy is available via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to accommodate different preferences and needs.
How is cost handled for sessions?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What are the steps to begin working together?
To get started, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a session based on therapist availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyTrauma and abuseBipolar disorderDepressionCompassion fatigue

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentAging and geriatric issuesAttachment issuesBlended family issuesCancerCaregiver issues and stressChronic pain, illness, and disabilityCodependencyCommunication problemsDisruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)EmptinessFamily of origin issuesFirst responder issuesGuilt and shameHospice and end-of-life counselingImmigration issuesIsolation / lonelinessLife purposeMidlife crisisMood disordersMulticultural concernsPost-traumatic stressSeasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-harmSelf-loveWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Attachment-Based TherapyClient-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)Mindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingNarrative TherapySolution-Focused TherapySomatic TherapyTrauma-Focused TherapyInternal Family Systems

Experience

13+ years

Licensed

North Carolina

Languages

English