Check Out Emily Schleich’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Emily Schleich. 

Hi Emily, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I became interested in working with individuals with neurodiversity all by luck. When I was an undergraduate at the University of New Mexico my roommate at the time asked me to volunteer as a camp counselor at a summer camp for kids with autism, due to their need for more counselors. I had no experience working with individuals with autism and was not entirely sure what an overnight weeklong camp would be like. A week later and of course. it was the most amazing week of my life. I remember the final day of the camp when the parents arrived- I was touched by their stories and how having a child with autism impacted their lives. I knew in that moment that I wanted to work with families with neurodiversity. I was accepted into Oklahoma State Universities marriage and family therapy master’s program with an emphasis on intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). I was able to combine my passion for mental health with the I/DD population through research and facilitating group therapy sessions. 

I then moved to Denver to be closer to family. It took me a few years to get fully licensed and connected with other providers here, I worked in community mental health for years and saw the need for more support for these families that I was not able to provide in community mental health settings. In 2020 I was finally able to launch my private practice and am so thankful for this opportunity. 

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
I think that launching a business of any sort is always difficult, but launching one in the midst of a pandemic was a unique struggle. I mostly work with children with autism, so transitioning to telehealth during the pandemic was not easy to navigate. I recall being on the computer and being left in children’s closets, on the top of stairs, or just staring at a black screen for prolonged periods of time. Kids wanted to play and I was expecting them to sit at a computer and engage with me. One of the best things I created during the pandemic was my “virtual playroom”. I created it as a way to incorporate play therapy into telehealth and as a resource for families in between our therapy sessions. 

In addition to navigating the pandemic, I had to learn to run a business. I joke with people that I do feelings, not numbers but there is some truth to this. I had to self-teach myself how to do taxes, marketing, and manage my business so that I could ensure I would be in business for the long term for my clients. Within a year I have spent countless hours reading business books, listening to podcasts, and learning the ins and outs of running a sustainable business. 

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I like to think of myself as a unique therapist in the Denver area. I have my master’s in marriage and family therapy with a specialization in intellectual and developmental disabilities. This just means that I am able to provide mental health therapy to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities from a systemic lens. All Minds Counseling is unique because although we treat the client in our office, we are always thinking of the systems in which they live and consider these aspects in creating change. All Minds Counseling specializes in neurodiversity (autism and ADHD), clinicians are trained in this niche to meet our client’s needs. We often see clients to address emotion regulation, self-confidence, behavioral support, anxiety, depression, and parenting support. We see kids as young as 5 years old all the way to 99+, individual, couples, and family therapy. We provide a CBT base to our therapy approach as well as play and art therapy modalities for our kid and teen clients. I have found that having a clinician who understands these differences is huge in the therapy process. It is helpful in relational therapy to understand neurodiversity to help overcome obstacles through understanding and acceptance. We tailor our treatment to meet each client’s needs and abilities rather than using a cookie-cutter approach to treatment. 

We treat neurotypical clients/families also and have a background in foster care and trauma. 

Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
I believe that every client is the expert of their own lives. I pull from my client’s experiences to work together as a team to meet their needs. I will rely on my clients to discuss their goals for treatment while providing input when desired to help create change. I enjoy learning beside my clients and helping to navigate this world better so that one day they will no longer need me. 

Pricing:

• 125-150

Contact Info:

• Email: info@schleichtherapy.com
• Website: www.allmindscounseling.com
• Instagram: all.minds.counseling