Her Story
About Emily
Emily Hilliard is a mental health counselor representing Poughkeepsie, New York. She has been working in the mental health and counseling field for a little over two years. Prior to that, she worked in the criminal justice sector at a juvenile detention center. Emily double majored in criminal justice and psychology before pursuing her Master's degree. The population she serves includes children and adolescents who are involved in either the justice system or through CPS or family court. Her areas of focus include sex abuse prevention, specifically around those who are initiating sexual harm. She works for a non-profit and a private practice as well. Emily values having mentors throughout her career and emphasizes the importance of self-care, checking in with oneself, and knowing when to take breaks to avoid burnout in the mental health field.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Emily
01What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best advice I received is to check in with yourself and know when you need to take a break and take a breath. Especially in mental health, we often get caught up wanting to help and that can be taxing. Know when you need to take a breath and don't feel shame or guilt about taking those breaks to be the best clinician.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Understand that your identity is not separate from the service you're providing as a mental health counselor. Be aware of what it means to be every part of your identity in that space. Show up with your values while still following professional requirements and putting your client's interests first. Make sure you're not losing yourself and your identity along the way when making hard decisions.
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