Emily N. Sharp, LICSW
(253) 353-2263
Emily N. Sharp, LICSW
I am a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker, with an MSW from USC (2003), 3 years education/training focused on Clinical Psychology with an emphasis on Depth Psychology at Pacifica Graduate Institute (Ph.D. candidate, all but dissertation and internship) and 21 years training/experience in clinical practice in a variety of settings.
My clinical style is heavily influenced by psychodynamic / psychoanalytic theory, principles, and approach to the clinical encounter. I also am fluent with and regularly employ Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) among other therapeutic modalities in my practice.
Within the safe container of the therapeutic relationship, it is my job to facilitate exploration of multiple facets of who you are and your life experience so we can locate where the injury/wound is, which will then help us determine the best approach to work through that injury/wound towards integration and healing. Your journey will be uniquely yours, I will simply be the guide by your side.
I work with adults 18+, women, men, transgender, non-binary, LGBTQI+, and military (active duty, separated, retired, or discharged). I primarily treat personality disorders, depression, mood disorders, anxiety, trauma, SI/NSSI, phase of life transitions, and issues related to identity formation/development. I work best with those who have the capacity (or want to develop the capacity) for introspection and a willingness to venture into the landscape of their inner world. I offer a warm, compassionate, nurturing place where we can creatively and collaboratively engage in meaning-making in the service of growth, development, integration, relationship, and healing. I value unearthing your inner strengths and building on those strengths to lend you the tools and courage to undertake the journey (back) to yourself and a life worth living.
MY CREDENTIALS
LICENSED INDEPENDENT CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKER (LICSW)
Initially issued September 17, 2009
Washington state LW 60097151, next renewal date 3/8/2025
PHD CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY
DOCTORAL CANDIDATE
2010 - 2015
Pacifica Graduate Institute
Clinical Psychology
Emphasis in Depth Psychology
All but dissertation and internship
MASTER OF SOCIAL WORK (MSW)
2001 - 2003
University of Southern California
School of Social Work
BACHELOR OF ARTS, PSYCHOLOGY
1997 - 2001
University of Southern California
College of Letters, Arts, & Sciences
AWARDS AND HONORS
2003 Graduated summa cum laude, Deans’ Scholar
2003 Elected to National Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi
2002 USC School of Social Work Deans’ Award Scholarship
2001 USC School of Social Work Deans’ Award Scholarship
2000 Elected to Psi Chi National Honor Society in Psychology
DBT FOUNDATIONAL TRAINING
2017
Bellevue, WA
Trainers Elizabeth Dexter-Mazza, PsyD and Jennifer Sayrs, PhD
MEMBER NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SOCIAL WORKERS (NASW)
June 2020 - present
MENTAL HEALTH CARE COORDINATOR
Lead
August 2021 - present
Kaiser Permanente Washington
Working at the intersection of health plan (insurance) and care delivery system, engage patients/caregivers in screening and high-level triage, safety planning and treatment planning; review daily Emergency Department/Urgent Care admissions; appoint to or provide referral/authorization of behavioral health services working with both internal providers (system-wide) and external contracted options to assist patients accessing clinically appropriate, medically-necessary care; crisis assessment, de-escalation and safety planning, psychoeducation, and other interventions with patients and caregiver/supports. In Lead role, provide individual and small-group clinical support and provider development to front-line MHCCs, Social Workers, and phone staff; assist with development, implementation, monitoring, and check/adjust of frequently changing workflows and job aides; hiring and onboarding; assist in creation, update/maintenance, and implementation of training including documentation and OneNote resource; participating in system-wide improvement projects related to establishing care pathways, removing barriers to accessing care, and identifying escalation processes for patients identified to be at higher risk.
MASTER LEVEL THERAPIST
June 2016 - August 2020
Group Health Cooperative/Kaiser Permanente Washington
Seattle and Tacoma, WA
Provided psychosocial evaluation/assessment, individual and group psychotherapy in staff model outpatient clinic. Worked with patients, ages 2 to 90, predominantly adults ages 18+ including Medicare and Medicaid patients. Collaborated with psychiatrists, nurses, and primary care physicians to provide interdisciplinary care coordination; participated on DBT-informed treatment team and functioned as DBT-I lead for Tacoma clinic; participated in improvement project and co-facilitated committee/workgroup to address improving initial and return access to appointments and reduce staff burnout/turnover.
DOCTORAL INTERN
June 2014 - October 2014
Puget Sound Psychiatric Clinic
Bothell, WA
Provided formal psychological testing including scheduling upon referral, intake, history gathering, collateral contact for additional history, records review, test administration, interpretation and diagnostic formulation, report writing, and client feedback. Received group supervision with licensed psychologist Kerry Ragain, Ph.D., as well as group supervision with licensed psychiatrist, Syed Jamal Mustafa, MD
PRACTICUM COUNSELOR
(PSYCHOTHERAPY PRACTICUM)
September 2012 - June 2013
University of Puget Sound: Counseling, Health, and Wellness Services
Tacoma, WA
Provided individual psychotherapy to four long-term clients, who were seen for weekly 50-minute sessions for a range of 6 to 27 sessions throughout the duration of the academic school year. Sessions were video and/or audio recorded and reviewed with clinical supervisor. Worked with an integrated model including a range of theoretical orientations (psychodynamic, interpersonal/relational, humanistic, gestalt, and cognitive behavioral). Responsible for maintaining timely progress notes and treatment summaries for each client. Participated in weekly clinic staff meetings, interdisciplinary consultation for coordination of treatment, intern case conferences, and outreach activities on the university campus (i.e. staffing a table in commons area for Eating Disorders Awareness Week, assisted with De-Stress Fest activities for students during finals). Presented a client in clinical case conference with supervisors and clinical colleagues. Received individual supervision with clinical psychology interns Christopher Edwards, M.A. and BláithÃn MacMahon, M.A., as well as group supervision with licensed psychologists Charee Boulter, Ph.D., and Amy Paris, Ph.D.
PSYCHOLOGY PRACTICUM STUDENT (DIAGNOSTIC PRACTICUM)
March 2012 - January 2013
Puget Sound Psychiatric Clinic
Bothell, WA
Psychology Practicum Student (Diagnostic practicum)
Provided formal psychological testing including scheduling upon referral, intake, history gathering, collateral contact for additional history, records review, test administration, interpretation and diagnostic formulation, report writing, and client feedback. Received individual supervision with licensed psychologists Christen Carson, Ph.D., and Kerry Ragain, Ph.D., as well as individual and group supervision with licensed psychiatrist, Syed Jamal Mustafa, MD.
MASTER LEVEL THERAPIST
September 2009 - June 2011
Group Health Behavioral Health Services
Olympia/Tacoma, WA
Provided psychosocial evaluation/assessment, individual, family and group psychotherapy in staff model outpatient clinic. Worked with patients, ages 2 to 85, including Medicare patients. Collaborated with psychiatrists, nurses, and primary care physicians to provide interdisciplinary care coordination
THERAPIST
January 2009 - August 2009
Comprehensive Mental Health
Tacoma, WA
Worked in CHANCE, an outpatient Children's Hospital Alternative Program therapeutic foster care treatment team with children ages 5-17. Provided weekly individual therapy, assisted with treatment planning, case management and coordination, placement transition and emancipation planning in conjunction with interdisciplinary treatment team, DCFS worker, and parents or permanent caretaker.
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAMS
November 2007 - December 2008
Hillsides Home for Children
Pasadena, CA
Reported to Director of Quality Management. Responsible for clinical documentation training, development and implementation of chart/documentation and billing review systems, part of workgroup to develop and implement electronic medical records program, monitor productivity and provide weekly reports to executive administrators, liaison to subcontractor programs, internal chart review and audit preparation, agency representative to LA County DMH Service Area Quality Improvement Committee, Quality Assurance/Quality Improvement Network, developing and implementing strategies to resolve billing and charting problems.
SOCIAL WORKER
January 2005 - November 2007
Hillsides Home for Children
Pasadena, CA
Worked in adolescent boys’ unit with 5-10 residents ages 13-18. Provided weekly individual, group, and family therapy, psychosocial assessment, case management, reunification, transition and emancipation planning in conjunction with child’s DCFS worker; and interdisciplinary teamwork with psychiatrist and nursing staff, crisis managers, school staff, therapeutic recreation staff, cottage supervisor and childcare workers, Regional Center case workers, and Wraparound teams for the purposes of treatment planning, implementation and monitoring outcomes. Extensive experience with Los Angeles County DMH documentation and billing as well as quarterly DCFS reports/treatment plans. Additional responsibilities included serving as department representative on DMH Chart Review Committee in partnership with Quality Management Director, Nursing Supervisor and Recreation Director, worked on county-wide task force for development of comprehensive treatment plan form.
COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH THERAPIST
January 2004 - December 2004
Optimist Youth Homes & Family Services
Highland Park, CA
Provided outpatient clinical services to at-risk youth and families including individual and family therapy, collateral contact with foster parents/guardians, collaboration with school personnel (parent/teacher conferences, SST and IEP meetings), probation officers and other referral sources, referral for psychiatric evaluation and monitoring, DMH documentation and billing, reports to DCFS worker, case management, advocacy and community outreach, long- and short-term treatment planning.
CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKER
(MSW 2ND YEAR INTERNSHIP)
September 2002 - May 2003
Los Angeles, CA
Provided individual and family counseling, group psychotherapy and skill building activities with children and adolescents focused on building social skills, conflict resolution, and stress management, psychosocial assessment case management, treatment planning, community advocacy, and interdisciplinary teamwork.
SOCIAL WORK INTERN/FAMILY ADVOCATE
(MSW 1ST YEAR INTERNSHIP)
September 2001 - May 2002
USC School for Early Childhood Education State Preschool/ Head Start
Los Angeles, CA
Provided case management, performed weekly home visits with clients and their families, individual and group counseling, in-class child observations, psychosocial assessment, treatment planning, community resource networking, legislative and policy monitoring, provided staff development in-service trainings and consultation.
UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ASSISTANT
2000 - 2001
USC Family Studies Lab
Supervised by Dr. Gayla Margolin. Responsible for cleaning and organizing questionnaire and survey data, assisting with gathering and coding structured interview data, and developing a coding protocol for videotaped parent-child interaction task.